Palm Ridge Magistrates Court
By Lerato Mpembe
The Palm Ridge Magistrates Court has postponed the high-profile fraud case against South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan and his co-accused, Gronie Hluyo, to August 2025. The postponement comes as legal representatives for another accused, Grit Communications boss Trevor Neethling, make submissions to the Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in an effort to have charges against them dropped.
Jordaan and Hluyo face conspiracy to commit fraud charges stemming from allegations that Jordaan misused SAFA funds for personal benefit. The case, which has been in court for months, has seen multiple legal maneuvers as the accused challenge the charges.
Allegations Against Danny Jordaan
The charges against Danny Jordaan relate to accusations that he used SAFA funds to pay for public relations services to cleanse his image following rape allegations made against him in 2017. Additionally, he is accused of using football association funds for private security services, which prosecutors argue was for personal protection rather than official SAFA business.
The prosecution alleges that Jordaan hired Grit Communications, a PR firm led by Trevor Neethling, to manage his public image during the period when he faced sexual assault allegations from former ANC MP Jennifer Ferguson. The company was allegedly paid from SAFA’s budget, an act that authorities claim amounts to fraud and financial mismanagement.
Legal Maneuvers: Representations to Drop Charges
The court’s postponement follows representations made by Neethling and his legal team to the Gauteng DPP seeking to have the charges against him dropped. The legal process involves making submissions to Advocate Andrew Chauke, the head of prosecutions in Gauteng, who is currently reviewing the matter.
According to Neethling’s attorney, James Ndebele, the DPP has acknowledged receiving the representations and committed to reviewing them thoroughly.
“On the 24th of January 2025, Advocate Chauke himself acknowledged receipt of the representations and gave an undertaking that he will require until the first week of March this year to properly consider the representations and make an informed decision with regards to the representations,” said Ndebele.
If the DPP decides in Neethling’s favor, charges against him may be dropped, and the case may return to court earlier than expected for further developments.
Court Proceedings and Future Dates
Despite Neethling’s representations, the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court has set a new court date of 15 August 2025, pending the DPP’s final decision.
Legal experts suggest that should Neethling’s application be successful, the case against Jordaan and Hluyo may be reviewed or modified, potentially leading to a revised indictment or further legal challenges.
Meanwhile, Jordaan and Hluyo’s legal teams continue to prepare their defense and a potential review application, contesting the state’s case and the legitimacy of the fraud charges.
Danny Jordaan’s Legal Challenges and SAFA’s Reputation
Jordaan, a long-standing figure in South African football, has been embroiled in multiple controversies in recent years, with allegations of financial mismanagement and misuse of power at SAFA. His tenure has also been marked by internal conflicts within the association, with critics accusing him of running SAFA like a personal fiefdom.
These legal troubles have raised serious concerns about governance at SAFA, with calls for greater financial accountability and transparency within the football governing body.
The allegations against Jordaan come as SAFA struggles to maintain credibility, particularly as South Africa prepares to host key international football events. Some football administrators and stakeholders have warned that the prolonged legal battles could damage SAFA’s international reputation and funding prospects.
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