Danny Jordaan, President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), and CFO Gronie Hluyo have had theft charges against them withdrawn by the State.
However, the duo still face multiple fraud-related charges, as confirmed during their court appearance on Friday.
Jordaan, Hluyo, and businessman Trevor Neethling appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge, where State advocate Moagi Malebati announced the amendment of the charge sheet. While the three theft charges were dropped, Jordaan and Hluyo still face three counts of fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Jordaan, a former member of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee, was arrested in November 2024 over allegations of misusing R1.3 million in SAFA funds for personal expenses.
He is accused of hiring a private security firm for his protection and engaging a public relations agency without the approval of the SAFA board.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan and his co-accused in court Photo: SABC News
The 73-year-old, along with Hluyo and Neethling, was granted bail set at R20,000.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane addressed the withdrawal of the theft charges, explaining that the legal process allows for amendments based on new findings.
“Well, you would recall that at this stage, we have presented to the court a provisional charge sheet. So, once information becomes available—information that changes the completion of the case—the State, in terms of the law, can still alter the charge sheet depending on the information that becomes available,” Mjonondwane told Newzroom Afrika.
She added that further changes could still be made before the plea and trial stage.
Jordaan, Hluyo, and Neethling made their third court appearance on Friday, 7 February. The court has now postponed proceedings until August 2025.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Sheron Soko-Rantao dismissed Jordaan and Hluyo’s request to have the case struck off the roll, signaling that their legal battle is far from over.