Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt
- The state accuses Danny Jordaan of using more than R1.3-million of Safa money to pay for his personal security bills.
- Safa lawyer Poobalan Govindasamy says no money was stolen and questioned if judges are delaying the fraud trial on purpose.
Bosses at the South African Football Association (Safa) are backing their president, Danny Jordaan. They blame the courts for delays in his fraud case.
The state accuses Jordaan of using more than R1.3-million of Safa money for himself.
He faces charges alongside Safa chief financial officer Gronie Hlunyo, PR man Trevor Neethling and former Safa boss Russell Paul.
The charges link to two deals that the Safa national executive committee (NEC) never approved.
The first was a R40,250 payment to Badger Security Services for a personal risk assessment.
The second was a R1-million contract given to Grit Communications in 2017. This happened when former MP Jennifer Ferguson accused Jordaan of rape.
Safa held a press conference on Sunday. Poobalan Govindasamy, Safa’s head of legal, defended Jordaan.
Govindasamy said outside forces are attacking the association.
But former Safa deputy president William Mooka started the case. Mooka was an NEC member when he brought the issue to the committee in 2020.
He asked Jordaan to step aside. Jordaan refused. Safa fired Mooka in May 2020. Mooka opened the criminal case later that month.
Govindasamy said no money was stolen and questioned the justice system.
“Why is this case, that started in 2024, still pending in the courts? Is there corruption within the judiciary?” he said.
He failed to mention that Jordaan’s own lawyers caused many delays. They fought the police raid at the Safa offices in March.
Jordaan applied to have the charges dropped. Govindasamy admitted this application is taking a long time.
The delay helps Jordaan. He plans to run for a fourth term as Safa president later this year.
His next court date is 25 May.
Pictured above: Danny Jordaan.
Image source: File
