Safa boss intends pleading not guilty to fraud

South African Football Association (Safa) President, Dr Danny Jordaan, will return to court on the 5th of next month after he was released on R20 000 bail earlier today.

He says he intends pleading not guilty to the fraud allegations levelled against him.

[WATCH] SAFA President Danny Jordaan, Safa CFO Gronie Hluyo, and Grit Communications’ Trevor Neethling appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court for charges of theft and corruption amounting to over R1.3m. pic.twitter.com/7SfhDTlfp4

— Ntsako Mkhari (@Ntsako_Mkhari_) November 13, 2024

Jordaan and his co-accused, Gronie Hluyo (Safa CFO), and Trevor Neethling who’s the Director of PR company, Grit Communications, are at odds with the law over R1.3 million alleged fraud.

[WATCH] SAFA President Danny Jordaan and his co-accused Gronie Hluyo (SAFA CFO), and Grit Communications’ Trevor Neethling arrive at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court. The 3 face charges of theft and corruption amounting to R1.3m. pic.twitter.com/hTaQEgp9Om

— Ntsako Mkhari (@Ntsako_Mkhari_) November 13, 2024

They are accused of using the money from the association’s funds for Jordaan’s personal benefit.

The courtroom, in which the trio’s case was being heard, was packed to capacity, with several Safa National Executive Committee (NEC) members in attendance to support the Safa boss.

The organisation’s COO, Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe, CEO Lydia Monyepao, as well as Vice Presidents, Linda Zwane and Bennet Bailey, were among the high-profile soccer officials at the court.

SAFA President Danny Jordaan is embraced by SAFA NEC members and executives after he was given bail of R20 000 earlier today. Among those in support for Jordaan were VPs Bennet Bailey & Linda Zwane, CEO Lydia Moneyapo and COO Tebogo Mothlante. pic.twitter.com/m3r5rHRSux

— Ntsako Mkhari (@Ntsako_Mkhari_) November 13, 2024

Safa lawyer, Lesedi Mphahlele, has dismissed the case against his boss as ‘frivolous’.

He believes that it is a smear campaign against Jordaan as the jostle for positions heats up, ahead of the national football administrative governing body’s elective conference.

Jordaan, Gronie Hluyo (SAFA CFO) & Trevor Neethling appeared before court for allegedly defrauding SAFA of R1.3m. pic.twitter.com/WCYOyl7e3T

— Ntsako Mkhari (@Ntsako_Mkhari_) November 13, 2024

Written by Ntsako Mkhari