Danny Jordaan, the president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), has been released on bail following his arrest on allegations of embezzling association funds for personal use. The charges come after a thorough investigation led by the Hawks, South Africa’s organized crime unit, into incidents of fraud and theft within SAFA from 2014 to 2018. Investigators claim Jordaan misappropriated approximately $72,000 during this period, raising serious concerns about financial integrity within the organization.
The arrest followed a tense legal standoff in which Jordaan sought to prevent his detention by filing an affidavit denying any involvement in the alleged misconduct. Just one day before his arrest, he submitted this document to the court, maintaining his innocence and arguing that the allegations were baseless.
The Hawks intensified their investigation in March, when they conducted a high-profile raid on SAFA’s Johannesburg headquarters. Officers confiscated various electronic devices and documents, hoping to uncover evidence of financial irregularities tied to Jordaan’s leadership. The probe, which has now led to Jordaan’s temporary release on bail, marks one of the most high-profile financial scandals in South African sports administration in recent years.
As the case unfolds, the Hawks and SAFA will likely face increased scrutiny, with stakeholders and the public eager to understand how such substantial sums could have been mismanaged within one of the country’s most prominent sporting bodies. Jordaan’s legal team insists he will vigorously contest the charges, preparing for a legal battle that may bring more revelations about SAFA’s internal financial practices during his presidency.
