The president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordaan, finds himself at the center of a judicial scandal. Former CEO of the organizing committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Jordaan faces accusations of fraud and embezzlement amounting to 1.3 million rand (about $71,000).
Recently arrested, Jordaan, who is seeking a fourth term as SAFA president, appeared before the Palm Ridge court in Johannesburg, which specializes in financial crimes. The hearing revealed serious allegations: between 2014 and 2018, Jordaan allegedly used federation resources for personal purposes, bypassing procedures and without board approval.
According to local sources, including South African media outlet News24, Jordaan’s alleged practices involved a private security firm responsible for his personal protection, as well as a public relations company for promoting his public image. These services, funded by SAFA’s finances, were reportedly hired without consultation or prior agreement from SAFA’s decision-making bodies.
The case took on new significance in March when agents from the Hawks, the South African Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation under the Ministry of Police, conducted a large-scale search at SAFA’s headquarters. The raid aimed to gather evidence related to allegations of embezzlement and abuse of power against Jordaan and his co-defendants.
During the operation, which lasted nearly five hours, investigators seized numerous materials, including a laptop, multiple USB drives, external hard drives, and various unidentified documents. These items could provide additional clues about SAFA’s fund usage during Jordaan’s presidency. The seizure marks a pivotal point in the investigation, potentially shedding light on the controversial financial and administrative practices within the federation.
Besides Danny Jordaan, two other individuals are implicated in the case: Gronie Hluyo, SAFA’s financial director, and Trevor Neethling, a journalist-turned-businessman. Both co-defendants are also suspected of complicity in the alleged fraudulent management of federation funds. Like Jordaan, they were summoned to appear before the Palm Ridge court.
Observers of South African football view this case as an unprecedented challenge for SAFA, whose reputation has been marred by these revelations. As Jordaan attempts to defend his record and justify his ambition for a new term, the case raises questions about governance integrity within the federation. For the sports community, the priority is now to restore trust and ensure that transparency and accountability are strengthened within South African football authorities.
Danny Jordaan’s indictment risks repercussions beyond SAFA alone. As a prominent figure who played a key role in organizing the 2010 World Cup in South Africa—the first to be held on African soil—Jordaan had previously been a celebrated figure in national sports. However, his involvement in this fraud case tarnishes that image and could harm the credibility of South African football on the international stage.
