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Danny Jordaan, head of the South African Football Association, was reportedly arrested on Wednesday after allegations surfaced claiming he used SAFA’s finances for personal purposes, as reported by local news outlets.
Jordaan, instrumental in securing South Africa as the host for the 2010 World Cup, sought a court order to halt his impending arrest on Tuesday. The Johannesburg High Court, however, won’t address his request until Thursday.
Katlego Mogale, spokesperson for South African police, said the arrest stems from a police search of SAFA’s offices that took place in March.
“Between 2014 and 2018, the president of SAFA used the organisation’s resources for his personal gain, including hiring a private security company for his personal protection and a public relations company, without authorisation from the SAFA board,” Mogale said.
Jordaan, aged 73, and his alleged co-accused, Gronie Hluyo, SAFA’s chief financial officer, and businessman Trevor Neethling, are set to appear in court on Wednesday.
Neither Jordaan nor SAFA responded to a request for comment from Reuters, but in his affidavit to court seeking to block his arrest, he denies any wrongdoing.
South Africa’s elite crime unit, the Hawks, conducted a significant raid earlier this year at the South African Football Association (SAFA) headquarters, known as SAFA House.
They reportedly seized laptops, external drives, and various documents—each piece part of a growing investigation into Danny Jordaan’s alleged misuse of funds.
Authorities say that between 2014 and 2018, Jordaan authorized substantial payments—totaling around R1.3 million (about $68,000)—to cover private security and PR services, all without the green light from SAFA’s board.
These actions, officials claim, bypassed the organization’s financial statutes, effectively draining resources intended for South African football development.
Jordaan, famous for his role in securing the 2010 FIFA World Cup for South Africa, has challenged the allegations in court, determined to stop what he views as an unjust arrest.
He faces these accusations alongside SAFA’s CFO Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling, both tied to the alleged financial misdeeds. The outcome of his legal challenge is anticipated, but beyond the immediate case, this scenario raises broader questions about transparency and governance in South African sports.
