WeeklySA_AdminDRAMA: MIXED FORTUNES FOR KHOZA, MOTAUNG AND JORDAAN WITH SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR SA FOOTBALL
By Ali Mphaki
It was the worst of times for Daniel Alexander “Danny” Jordaan. The 73-year-old SAFA boss found himself behind bars on Wednesday following his early-morning arrest in Johannesburg by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit.
Jordaan appeared with two others at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge on Wednesday for fraud and theft charges. The other two is former Safa chief financial officer Gronnie Hluyo, 55, and businessman Trevor Neethling, 46.
Amount? R1.3-million.
It was the best of times for Kaizer Motaung, even though his Kaizer Chiefs have not been doing so well lately. The Chiefs boss who celebrated his 80th birthday recently have been spotting a smile as wide as the FNB stadium.
Reason?
R2-miillion as a birthday gift. It was an incredulous week for Irvin Khoza, the Orlando Pirates and PSL boss. The “Iron Duke” was re-elected unopposed for another four-year term as chairman of the NSL, trading as PSL.
The Chiefs boss, along with Khoza, Motaung, Mato Madlala, Stan Matthews, Rejoice Simelane, Tim Sukazi, Jomo Biyela and Johnny Mokgaladi were voted by member clubs to be part of the new Exco.
The R2-million gift to the Chiefs boss was made by the reelected Khoza, who described Motaung as his friend, though some believe there is more to the gesture than meets the eye.
Sources within the PSL says the R2-million gift while genuine was Khoza’s indirect way of showing Jordaan who is the ‘boss’ when it comes to finances.
“Jordaan is charged for R1.3-million of Safa funds while Khoza can afford to splash R2-million on a friend. “Next time Jordaan needs some money lets hope he’s learnt which door to knock for help,” added some of the posts on social media.
The accusations, stemming from an investigation into activities between 2014 and 2018, suggest that Jordaan misappropriated Safa funds for personal use, including hiring a private security firm and engaging a public relations company without Safa board approval.
According to the National Prosecuting Agency, the allegations stem from a 12-month Service Level Agreement (SLA) allegedly entered by Safa, represented by Jordaan, and Grit Communications, in December 2017 “for the provision of Public Relations and communication services to SAFA”.
The State alleges that Jordaan, in contravention of Safa statutes, signed the SLA that was neither sanctioned or approved by SAFA, backdated to 01 October 2017.
“Jordaan is alleged to have employed Grit Communications for purposes of protecting his personal image following allegations of rape levelled against him in 2017. Furthermore, that he allegedly acquired protection services worth over R40 000, purported to be for Safa from Badger Security, during the SAFA 2018 elective congress, whilst these protection services were allegedly exclusively rendered to him.”
Investigators allege the unauthorised expenditures resulted in an estimated R1.3 million loss for the organisation. Responding to questions about the Premier Soccer League’s future, Motaung was quoted in the local media as saying the current hierarchy should now be discussing who will take over.
Yes, obviously we have to be open to the young ones to take over because our time will come to an end – and there has to be a proper succession plan,” Motaung responded.
Meanwhile the embattled Jordaan had indicated his intention to stand for reelection when his term ends in 2026.
On September 28, 2013, Jordaan was elected as the new president of South African Football Association (SAFA), succeeding Kirsten Nematandani. He was elected ahead of Mandla Mazibuko by 162 to 88 votes from 52 regions.
In recent times there’s been a chorus calling for Jordaan to step down and that SAFA’s board be placed under administration which is now reaching a crescendo in the wake of recent developments.
By late Friday the SAFA hierarchy has been mum about the Jordaan matter, with no mention of the case even in their website.
However, the SAFA Safety and Security Protocol Committee last week held an urgent meeting to discuss what chairman Tankiso Modipa terms a “relentless” attack on SAFA by internal and external forces.
“We have noted that there are certain individuals who are continuing to damage the SAFA brand, and they are using certain media platforms to wage this war and smear the names and reputations of our members. The campaign has noticeably picked up in the last few weeks and enough is enough,” he said.
Jordaan and accused have a return match with the law at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge pencilled for December 5.
They are out on R20 000 bail each.
