15 November 2024 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) wishes to condemn in the strongest terms the underhand dealings and tactics that saw SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, Chief Financial Officer Gronie Hluyo and Grit Communications Director, Trevor Neethling, appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in the East of Johannesburg this week.
Dr Jordaan, Hluyo and Neethling were hauled before the court on Wednesday, 13 November 2024 in what the SAFA NEC considers to be a brazen abuse of the law and process in a bid to throw the Association into disarray and chaos, and to further other dark and nefarious purposes. The trio were asked by the court to address serious allegations of theft, corruption and fraud which we believe have been levelled against them by disgruntled former members of SAFA. The charges stem from a contract for external services concluded between SAFA and Grit Communications, which has sparked intense scrutiny over the authority under which it was signed.
At the heart of the allegations lies the issue of whether Dr. Jordaan had the legal authority to sign the contract on behalf of SAFA. However, the SAFA Constitution (2018) is unequivocal on this matter. According to Article 39(1), the President and the Chief Executive Officer are duly authorised to represent SAFA legally, including the right to sign contracts and engage in legal proceedings on its behalf.
In the absence of the then CEO of SAFA, the President was not precluded from signing a contract on behalf of the Association. The President acted within his constitutional prerogative by signing the contract, especially since it did not prejudice the interests of SAFA. The contract in question was for public relations services, and both SAFA and Grit Communications fulfilled their contractual obligations as agreed.
The allegations and/or charges of fraud, theft, corruption are therefore frivolous and baseless, driven more by personal vendettas by disgruntled former members of SAFA who carry a clear agenda to mischaracterise facts and thereby damage the respective good names and reputations of SAFA and its current leadership. It’s a familiar tactic and cowardly attempt to pressure Dr Jordaan to step down amidst mounting public scrutiny. This strategy is not new and was similarly employed during the build-up to the 2018 SAFA elections.
Unfortunately, the political contestations between the former and current leadership of SAFA have spilled into the public domain, threatening to undermine the significant progress SAFA has made in developing football in South Africa. This ongoing distraction seeks to detract from the true mission of SAFA, which is to use football as an instrument for nation-building, exploring and nurturing young talent, and achieving lasting social change.
The matter is now in the hands of the courts, and we trust that the legal process will be thoroughly and impartially carried out, bringing those responsible for any wrongdoing to justice. The fact that they chose to pursue their selfish agenda on the same week when Bafana Bafana were in the home straight of qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations speaks volumes.
Adding further credence to SAFA’s belief that this is nothing but a well-orchestrated plot to unseat Dr Jordaan is the emergence of opportunistic parties who are arguing that the President must step aside during the court action. The step aside rule is a political statement and it is not a policy that exists at SAFA. At Safa, there is no such thing. You are not guilty until you are proven guilty and that is our official position on this.
The attempts to distract the team have failed and Bafana Bafana have now qualified for the AFCON to be held in Morocco next year. Coach Hugo Broos’ team have qualified for a second successive continental tournament and will line up against Africa’s best senior men’s national teams.
SAFA remains unwavering in its commitment to the growth and development of football in the country, and continues to prioritise the sport’s potential to unite, uplift and create opportunities for South Africa. We will not allow ourselves to detracted.
