A schoolboy error by Jordaan’s detractors clears him of theft charges

THE schoolboy error by the detractors of South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has made a mockery of the fraud and theft charges he was facing.

Jordaan appeared before the Palm Ridge magistrate's court, south of Johannesburg, on charges of fraud and theft but these were withdrawn.

However, Jordaan will need to return to court in August to face other charges.

The charges have been driven by disgruntled former SAFA employees and former Safa NEC members.

The court heard that various payments close to R1m rand were paid to the President Hotel in Sea Point.

Those digging for dirt on Jordaan saw these as personal payments to the (SAFA) president.

After the charges were dropped, SAFA issued a statement to clear the air.

“At the centre of the withdrawal are charges that relate to several payments amounting to R888,339.05 that were alleged to have been paid to the SAFA president.

“As it turns out, the amounts were paid to the President Hotel (in Sea Point) and not to the Safa president. This is the reason why the charges were withdrawn, as clearly, the charges were erroneous on the part of the State.”

Jordaan will need to return to court in August with his two co-accused CFO Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling on a fraud rap.

Meanwhile, Jordaan's leadership has been given the stamp of approval by FIFA Council and Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Member Isha Johansen.

Johansen, a Sierra Leonean entrepreneur and the former president of the Sierra Leone Football Association paid a courtesy visit to SAFA headquarters in Nasrec, south of Johannesburg, this week and was welcomed by Jordaan.

Johansen said leadership comes with its challenges and difficulties, and SAFA is no exception.

Said Johansen: “We respect leadership as well. In President Danny Jordaan there has been leadership. Of course, we all have our problems, and no single FA president will say that it’s been a smooth ride. But there’s been leadership, there’s something to look up to here in this federation.

"I come to this building and every single department there has to be is here, which is very admirable. So, yes, it’s basically that you come to a country, and you come and see what the Football Federation is like, what are they are doing and what is the progress report.

"I was talking to President Jordaan about the youth football development programs and the female development programs, again, which I think you guys have been very, very active on.”

Johansen said the trip to SAFA House has been in the works for a long time and arriving in the South of Johannesburg to find SAFA CEO Monyepao holding the front door was a special thrill.

“This is my first time here and I’m extremely impressed. It’s even nicer and greater to see a female Secretary General at SAFA. It’s very nice for us, and we’re going places. We spoke about this thing of tokenism, which I will forever be stressing.

"Women like us in positions of governance and administration in football, it’s rare to see.“