South African Football Association (SAFA) president, Danny Jordaan, has received partial relief in his legal battle after some of the charges against him were withdrawn.
Jordaan and his co-accused, SAFA Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Gronie Hluyo, were arrested last year on multiple charges, including fraud and theft. The charges stem from allegations that Jordaan misused SAFA funds for personal gain, particularly by hiring a public relations (PR) company to help clear his name following a rape scandal in 2017.
Despite the partial withdrawal of charges, both Jordaan and Hluyo still face serious legal trouble, with multiple fraud-related charges still standing against them.
Charges Dropped but Legal Troubles Remain
Jordaan and Hluyo appeared before the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning for a hearing on the case.
Initially, the two were facing seven charges, including:
- Fraud
- Theft
- Conspiracy to commit fraud
However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has now dropped three of the seven charges—specifically those related to theft amounting to over R880,000.
Explaining the decision, NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane stated:
“The law makes provision for the State to alter the charge sheet so long as an accused person has not yet pleaded. This can happen as and when information becomes available or as the investigation uncovers certain details that change the evidence we have.”
While this development provides some relief for Jordaan and Hluyo, they still face four remaining charges, including:
- Conspiracy to commit fraud
- Fraud
- Theft
These charges suggest that the State still believes it has a strong case against the two football officials.
Misuse of SAFA Funds at the Center of the Case
The charges against Jordaan are linked to allegations that he used SAFA money for personal benefit.
Specifically, he is accused of hiring a public relations firm in 2017 to help him restore his image after he was accused of sexual misconduct.
At the time, former ANC Member of Parliament Jennifer Ferguson publicly accused Jordaan of raping her in a hotel in the early 1990s. Although he denied the allegations, the scandal damaged his reputation in the football and political spheres.
It is alleged that Jordaan used SAFA funds—which should have been allocated for football development—to pay for personal PR services in an attempt to protect his public image.
SAFA’s Reputation at Stake
The legal case has put SAFA’s leadership under scrutiny, raising concerns about financial mismanagement and corruption within the organization.
SAFA has already faced several financial challenges in recent years, including:
- Struggles to secure sponsorship deals
- Allegations of mismanagement and corruption
- Public disputes with football stakeholders
The case against Jordaan adds to the association’s troubles, with critics arguing that the scandal further tarnishes South African football’s reputation on the global stage.
Football analysts and sports governance experts have urged SAFA to take decisive action to ensure transparency and accountability within the organization.
What Happens Next?
Although three charges have been withdrawn, Jordaan and Hluyo are not off the hook yet.
- The legal process will continue as they still face serious fraud-related charges.
- Further investigations could lead to new developments in the case.
- If found guilty, Jordaan and Hluyo could face severe legal consequences, including fines or even imprisonment.
Jordaan has not yet commented on the court’s decision, and SAFA has also remained silent on the matter. However, legal experts predict that the case could drag on for months, as the defense and prosecution continue to present their arguments.
As the case unfolds, the spotlight remains on SAFA’s leadership and the broader issues of corruption in South African football governance. Whether Jordaan can clear his name or not, this case will likely have long-term implications for the future of SAFA.