By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has been arrested and charged with R1.3 million fraud, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) confirmed.
Hawks spokesperson Col Katlego Mogale said warrants of arrests were issued for Jordaan, Safa CEO Gronie Hluyo and a 46-year-old businessman on Wednesday morning.
“The allegations are that 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.”
The hiring of the communications company to manage his image came after former ANC MP and well-known singer, Jennifer Ferguson, alleged that Jordaan had raped her in 2017.
Hawks are likely to add more charges related to an inflated R70 million payment for the Fun Valley Resort and Entertainment Centre in Johannesburg, as well as issues surrounding the winding down of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust.
This $100 million legacy fund was established after South Africa hosted the continent’s first World Cup. Fullview learned that the Hawks have prepared a comprehensive charge sheet, and Jordaan will need to provide answers in court.
In March this year, the Hawks raided SAFA’s offices in Nasrec, Johannesburg, and seized a laptop, external hard drives, a USB, and documents.
Jordaan had filed papers in the Johannesburg high court on Tuesday seeking to interdict his arrest and prosecution.
The matter was scheduled to be heard on Wednesday.
In spite of numerous allegations against him over the years, Jordaan has stubbornly maintained his innocence.
Just a few weeks ago Jordaan, who has been Safa president since 2013, hinted at vying for a fourth term after being re-elected for a third time in 2022.