Safa to cover Danny Jordaan’s legal costs in fraud case

The South African Football Association (Safa) will pay the legal costs of president Danny Jordaan and chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo in their ongoing court case involving allegations of fraud, corruption and theft.

The decision was taken by the association’s national executive committee (NEC), which also resolved to appoint an attorney and senior counsel to defend the pair in the proceedings at Palm Ridge magistrates’ court.

Jordaan, who was re-elected for a fourth term last month, and Hluyo were arrested in 2024 after an investigation by the Hawks into the alleged misuse of R1.3m in Safa funds.

The case has been before the court since 2024. Grit Communications director Trevor Neethling and former Safa chief executive Russel Paul have also been linked to the proceedings.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Safa said it would intervene in the criminal case and submit a written statement rejecting allegations of wrongdoing involving Jordaan, Hluyo and Paul.

“Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao wrote a letter to the court in December 2024 stating that Safa was never a complainant,” the statement said.

“The letter further stated that the complainants are disgruntled former Safa NEC members and employees who have no legal right to represent Safa in the proceedings. They have done so in their personal capacity outside the ambit of Safa.”

Safa said the allegations were not justified, citing the federation’s financial audit record during the period covered by the investigation.

“It is worth adding that Safa received unqualified audits for the period of this investigation by the National Prosecuting Authority and the subsequent audit period to date,” the statement continued.

The association also said it planned to pursue civil action against anyone it believed had damaged Safa’s reputation or brought its officials into disrepute.

“The NEC further resolved that Safa shall intervene in the criminal proceedings by making a detailed written statement refuting any wrongdoing on the part of the president, the CFO, and former acting CEO, Mr Russell Paul.”

“Finally Safa shall appoint an attorney and senior counsel to attend the proceedings on a watching brief going forward,” it added.

The move is likely to intensify criticism from those who have previously accused Jordaan of using Safa funds to defend himself in personal legal matters.

The association’s statement did not indicate when the written submission would be filed or specify the individuals against whom it intends to bring civil proceedings.

The criminal case follows the Hawks investigation into the alleged use of R1.3m in association funds and remains before the Palm Ridge magistrates’ court.