Danny Jordaan’s co-accused says he’s collateral damage of infighting within SAFA

Danny Jordaan’s co-accused says he’s collateral damage of infighting within SAFA! A high-profile fraud case involving top figures from the South African Football Association (SAFA) continues to unfold, with one of the accused, businessman Trevor Neethling, claiming he is merely collateral damage in ongoing power struggles within the organization.

Neethling, the owner of Grit Communications, along with SAFA president Danny Jordaan and SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo, faces charges related to alleged fraud totaling R1.3 million. Neethling has declared his intention to plead not guilty, asserting that his involvement in the case stems from SAFA’s internal conflicts.

Accusations of Fraud Against Top SAFA Executives

Neethling, Jordaan, and Hluyo recently appeared at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge, where they were formally charged with defrauding SAFA.

The charges accuse them of misappropriating R1.3 million of the organization’s funds. The prosecution alleges that this money was used improperly, with Jordaan and other executives misusing SAFA resources for personal benefit.

The case, which has drawn considerable attention due to Jordaan’s prominent position in South African sports, has exposed potential misuse of funds within SAFA. For Neethling, however, the allegations come as an unwelcome intrusion, which he claims is unrelated to any misconduct on his part.

Neethling’s Statement of Innocence

In a public statement, Neethling denied any wrongdoing, stating that Grit Communications performed legitimate work for SAFA. Neethling’s legal representative, James Ndebele, argued that his client’s only involvement in the affair was fulfilling a contractual obligation for SAFA, yet he now finds himself embroiled in a scandal unrelated to his company’s activities.

“It is clear that Grit Communications and myself are collateral damage of factionalism and infighting within and outside SAFA as an organization,” Ndebele said, emphasizing Neethling’s frustration with the accusations and appeal to keep his business out of SAFA’s internal struggles.

SAFA President’s Past Scandal Resurfaces

The origins of the current scandal trace back to a series of allegations against SAFA president Danny Jordaan, who in October 2017 faced rape accusations from Jennifer Ferguson, a member of parliament with the African National Congress (ANC).

The accusations prompted Jordaan to enlist the services of Grit Communications, which is owned by Neethling, to help repair his public image. According to Neethling, his firm’s involvement was strictly limited to public relations work intended to mitigate the fallout from the accusations against Jordaan.

While the nature of Grit Communications’ work for Jordaan remains a focal point of the case, Neethling maintains that his company’s work was conducted in good faith and did not involve fraudulent activity.

Nonetheless, prosecutors allege that the money paid to Grit Communications for these services was mishandled or misappropriated, leading to the current charges against Jordaan, Hluyo, and Neethling.

A Complex Case of Organizational Infighting?

Neethling’s comments on the issue have painted a picture of an organization in disarray, plagued by factionalism and power struggles that are now spilling over into the courts.

The businessman claims that his company is being used as a scapegoat amidst broader conflicts within SAFA, where tensions between different factions may have led to his name being unfairly drawn into the scandal.

The infighting that Neethling alludes to is not new to SAFA, which has faced criticism over governance issues and allegations of mismanagement in recent years.

As Neethling sees it, his entanglement in the case is an unfortunate consequence of SAFA’s internal battles and factional conflicts, which he argues have little to do with him or his company.

Case Adjourned, Defendants Out on Bail

As the legal proceedings continue, the court has adjourned the case to December 5, giving the defendants time to prepare their cases. Each of the accused, including Neethling, was released on bail of R20,000.

While Neethling and his attorney have made statements emphasizing his innocence and detachment from the alleged fraud, the trial could bring further revelations about the financial and political dynamics within SAFA.

Public Reaction and the Future of SAFA Leadership

Public reaction to the case has been one of concern, as the alleged misuse of funds within SAFA could have significant repercussions for the governance and integrity of South African football.

The case comes at a critical moment for SAFA, with Jordaan’s leadership now under greater scrutiny and potential questions about the management of funds intended for the development of football in the country.

Neethling’s statements underscore the broader implications of SAFA’s internal conflicts, with allegations of factionalism and power struggles suggesting that deeper issues may be at play within the organization.

As the December hearing approaches, the case will likely intensify discussions around SAFA’s governance and could impact the organization’s leadership in the coming months.