Danny Jordaan, the president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), was arrested on November 13, 2024, over allegations of fraud involving R1.3 million (about N52 million) in misused funds.
Jordaan, alongside SAFA’s Chief Financial Officer, Gronie Hluyo, and businessman Trevor Neethling, has been accused of using association resources for personal expenses between 2014 and 2018.
The trio is scheduled to appear in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Palm Ridge later today, where they will face charges of fraud and misappropriation of funds.
Jordaan, known for his role in South African football, stated that his arrest took place at his home.
“I did not hand myself over; police came to my house and brought me to this court,” Jordaan said after his detention.
This arrest follows a legal battle, as Jordaan had previously sought an interdict from the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. He tried to stop his arrest, which was scheduled for Thursday, but the police proceeded with the action against him.
The Hawks, South Africa’s elite crime-fighting unit, confirmed that the arrest was based on warrants issued earlier this year.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale explained that Jordaan is accused of misappropriating SAFA resources by hiring a private security firm and a public relations company without approval from the board.
“The president is also reported to have violated SAFA statutes, thus prejudicing SAFA an actual loss of R1.3 million,” Mogale said in a statement.
The scandal revolves around the funds allegedly misused between 2014 and 2018. The investigation into the matter began earlier this year when the Hawks raided SAFA’s Nasrec office in Johannesburg in March.
During the raid, investigators confiscated various electronic devices and documents, including laptops, external hard drives, USB drives, and other records linked to the alleged fraud.
These raids are part of a broader investigation into financial misconduct within South African football, which has rocked the sport’s governing body.
Jordaan, who has been at the helm of SAFA since 2013, has strongly denied the allegations. He has maintained that he acted in the best interest of the association and that all decisions were made with the approval of the board.
Despite his claims, the Hawks have continued with their investigation, which also involves scrutiny of several other individuals within SAFA’s leadership.
The arrest of Jordaan has sent shockwaves through the South African football community, with many questioning the integrity of the country’s football leadership.
Critics argue that the case highlights ongoing issues of financial mismanagement in football administration in the country.
Jordaan’s tenure as SAFA president has been marked by both achievements and controversies. While he played a crucial role in South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he has also faced criticism for his handling of financial matters within the association.
The fraud charges are the latest in a series of scandals that have plagued South African football in recent years. This has raised concerns about the future of the sport and the need for greater accountability in its management.
As news of the arrest spreads, many South Africans are eager for answers about the alleged fraud and the fate of those involved.
With Jordaan’s leadership now under intense scrutiny, the case is expected to have far-reaching consequences for both the future of SAFA and South African football as a whole.
