The Not In My Name International NPO has called on SASOL and Hollywoodbets to publicly distance themselves from the South African Football Association (SAFA) until its president, Dr Danny Jordaan, steps down. This follows serious allegations of fraud and theft against Jordaan and two co-accused, CFO Gronnie Hluyo and Trevor Neethling.
The three appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge last Wednesday and were granted R20,000 bail each. They face accusations of misusing SAFA resources, resulting in a loss of R1.3 million, following an investigation by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Johannesburg.
Allegations and Calls for Accountability
Between 2014 and 2018, Jordaan allegedly misappropriated funds for personal use, including hiring a private security firm for protection and a public relations company without SAFA Board approval. These actions reportedly violated SAFA statutes and led to significant financial losses for the organisation.
In letters addressed to Charlotte Mokoena, Vice President of Stakeholder Relationships at SASOL, and V Roxane, Relations Director at Hollywoodbets, Not In My Name founder Siyabulela Jentile expressed concern over SAFA’s silence and the ongoing controversies under Jordaan’s leadership.
Jentile wrote:
“Our organisation, echoing the sentiments of millions of South Africans, has called for the resignation of Jordaan from the position of SAFA president amid his criminal charges. We are appealing to you as a sponsor/partner, in the interest of good governance and ethical considerations, to publicly distance yourself from SAFA until Jordaan has resigned and the association has had its affairs in order.”
Sponsors and SAFA Remain Silent
At the time of publication, neither SASOL nor Hollywoodbets had responded to inquiries regarding the NPO’s demands. Meanwhile, search and seizure operations conducted on March 8 at SAFA’s headquarters yielded critical evidence, including electronic devices and files, which contributed to the arrests.
The Hawks spokesperson, Mogale, stated that the accused must adhere to strict bail conditions, including restricted travel outside South Africa without court approval.
Broader Concerns About Leadership
Jentile’s letter highlights broader issues within SAFA, pointing to a pattern of poor governance. He criticised the association for dismissing former National Executive Committee (NEC) members over minor infractions while allowing Jordaan to remain in his position despite the severity of the allegations.
The case has been postponed to December 5, where docket disclosure will take place.
Public Reaction
This scandal has intensified scrutiny on SAFA’s leadership and governance. Many stakeholders, including fans and advocacy groups, are demanding transparency and accountability.
The outcome of this case will not only determine Jordaan’s future but could also set a precedent for governance in South African sports.
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