By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Caption: SAFA president Danny Jordaan and former CEO Russel Paul. Photo Credit: Gallo Images.
Former acting SA Football Association (SAFA) CEO Russell Paul has been granted R10 000 bail in the Palm Ridge Special Commercial Crime Court.
Fullview earlier reported that Paul handed himself over to the Hawks this morning.
His arrest forms part of the ongoing investigation into alleged irregular contracts and financial misconduct within SAFA – an investigation that has already implicated senior figures including former SAFA President Danny Jordaan and other executives.
Hawks spokesperson Christopher Singo confirmed that Paul was released on R10,000 bail.
“The case against Russell Patrick Paul has been postponed to 21 November 2025. He was granted R10,000 bail. Paul was arrested by members of the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Team in Johannesburg after handing himself over this morning.
“During September 2018, Paul was appointed as the acting Chief Executive Officer of SAFA. It is alleged that Paul conspired to backdate the contract of Grit Communications at SAFA. It is further alleged that Grit Communications provided services to SAFA President without SAFA’s knowledge and authorisation.
“It is reported that the service level agreement that was entered into between SAFA and Grit Communications on 1 October 2017 expired on 30 September 2018. Therefore there was no new service level agreement that was entered into between SAFA and Grit Communications during the period of October 2018 and July 2019.”
Singo added that Paul will return to court later this month alongside the other accused, when the matter is expected to proceed.
Jordaan, Gronnie Hluyo, Trevor Neethling, and Grit Communications, are expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 21 November 2025.
The charges are based on claims that Safa’s financial resources were fraudulently embezzled for R1.3-million between 2014 and 2018. All defendants have been released on R20 000 bail.