SAFA to cover Danny Jordaan and Gronie Hluyo legal costs

SAFA will pay all legal costs incurred by president Danny Jordaan and chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo in the court case arising from allegations over the misuse of R1.3 million in association funds.

The decision was taken by the organisation’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and includes expenses already accumulated in the proceedings before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

Jordaan and Hluyo were arrested in 2024 after a Hawks investigation into alleged theft, corruption and fraud. The case has continued for two years and also involves Grit Communications director Trevor Neethling and former SAFA chief executive Russel Paul.

SAFA confirmed the NEC’s decision in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The organisation said it had not filed a complaint with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Hawks or any other authority in relation to the matter. According to SAFA, CEO Lydia Monyepao told the court in a letter dated December 2024 that the association was not the complainant.

SAFA also said the complainants were former NEC members and employees who had acted in their personal capacities, rather than on behalf of the organisation.

The NEC has further resolved to submit a detailed written statement to the court. SAFA said the document would reject allegations of wrongdoing against Jordaan, Hluyo and Paul.

The association said it would also consider civil legal action against any individuals it believes have damaged the reputation of SAFA or its officials.

As part of its response to the ongoing case, SAFA plans to appoint an attorney and Senior Counsel to attend future court proceedings on a watching brief.

The association added that it had received unqualified audits during the period covered by the investigation and in the period since then, up to the present date.