Corruption, Fraud Case Against SAFA President Danny Jordaan Postponed Again As New Developments Emerge

Corruption, Fraud Case Against SAFA President Danny Jordaan Postponed Again As New Developments Emerge

Sampson Adedeji

The corruption and fraud case involving South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan and his co-accused has once again been postponed, with proceedings now adjourned to April 14, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The latest delay follows the entry of a new legal representative into the case. Advocate Leana Fick has taken over the defence of accused number two and four Trevor Neethling and his PR firm, Grit Communications under the instruction of James Ndebele.

The court granted her time to familiarise herself with the amended charge sheet received on Tuesday, as well as to consult with her clients.

This marks another setback in a matter that has already suffered multiple delays.

The case was previously stalled late last year at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court after an application by Ndebele for state prosecutor Moagi Malebati to recuse himself, citing alleged “tainting.” 

However, it was disclosed in court that the application, which had been dismissed in December, has now been formally abandoned.

Although the state has reiterated its readiness to proceed to trial, defence counsel Victor Nkwashu, who represents accused numbers one, two and five Danny Jordaan, SAFA CFO Gronie Hluyo, and former acting CEO Russell Paul opposed the move.

He argued that the case should be struck off the roll pending the outcome of a High Court hearing challenging the legality of the search and seizure operation at SAFA’s Nasrec headquarters in March 2024.

Nkwashu insisted that the defence would not agree to a trial date until that matter is resolved, describing the new adjournment date as purposeless.

According to him, the High Court hearing is scheduled for April 27, though it is expected to be reallocated due to the date falling on a public holiday.

He further questioned whether the state’s evidence is solely derived from the Nasrec raid or if prosecutors possess sufficient independent evidence to proceed to trial without it. 

Malebati countered this claim, stating that all evidence in the state’s possession is properly documented and dated. In a related development, the defence has also referred another matter to the High Court, challenging the arrest of the accused on November 13, 2024.

Nkwashu maintained that the arrests were unnecessary, citing an interdict application filed by the defence that was due to be heard the following day.

The state, however, rejected the claim, stressing that there was nothing unlawful about the arrests, as the interdict application had neither been heard nor granted at the time the arrests were carried out. With fresh legal manoeuvres and unresolved High Court matters, the high-profile case continues to face uncertainty, further delaying the start of substantive trial proceedings.