The South African Football Association (SAFA) has vowed to defend its president, Dr Danny Jordaan, and other officials facing allegations of theft, corruption and fraud, while threatening civil action against individuals it accuses of damaging the organisation’s reputation.
Following an ordinary meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) in Johannesburg over the weekend, SAFA maintained that it had never lodged a complaint with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Hawks or any other law enforcement authority in connection with the case before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, east of Johannesburg.
Jordaan, SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo, Grit Communications director Trevor Neethling and former SAFA chief executive officer Russel Paul have been drawn into the legal proceedings, which have been ongoing for approximately two years.
In its official statement, SAFA said its chief executive officer, Lydia Monyepao, had written to the court in December 2024, stating that the association was not the complainant in the matter.
According to SAFA, the letter further indicated that the complainants were disgruntled former NEC members and employees who had instituted the proceedings in their personal capacities and had no legal authority to represent the association.
The association also pointed to what it described as unqualified audit outcomes covering the period under investigation by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and subsequent audit periods.
Despite the ongoing criminal proceedings, the NEC has resolved that SAFA will intervene in the matter by submitting a detailed written statement refuting allegations of wrongdoing against Jordaan, Hluyo and former acting CEO Russel Paul.
SAFA further announced that it would institute civil proceedings against any person or persons found to have brought the association into disrepute or damaged the reputations of the organisation and its officials.
In another significant decision, the association resolved to cover the legal costs incurred by Jordaan and Hluyo, including expenses already accumulated during the proceedings.
SAFA will also appoint an attorney and Senior Counsel to attend future court proceedings on a watching brief.
The latest developments signal SAFA’s determination to defend its leadership and protect the association’s reputation as the case continues through the courts.
However, the association’s position does not determine the outcome of the criminal proceedings, and the allegations remain subject to the judicial process.
