By Abiola Olawale
The president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordaan was arrested on Wednesday following allegations of misuse of the organization’s resources for his benefit.
He faces serious charges related to an alleged fraudulent scheme and theft amounting to a significant sum of 1.3 million rand ($72,000).
He was arrested alongside SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling.
This was contained in a press statement released by the South African Police on Wednesday. According to the police report, the allegations were perpetrated between 2014 and 2018.
Jordaan is facing accusations of hiring a private security company for his protection and a public relations company for his image without authorisation from the SAFA board.
Jordaan, 73, is reported to have hired the public relations firm after his reputation was damaged when a South African singer and former lawmaker alleged in 2017 that he had sexually assaulted her 25 years prior.
He was arrested “following an intensive investigation by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation based in Johannesburg into allegations of R1.3 million fraud and theft,” police added in the statement.
However, Jordaan , who led South Africa’s successful bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, denied the charges in a Johannesburg court.
The New Diplomat reports that Jordaan has been serving as SAFA president since 2013 and was re-elected for a third term in 2022.
