March 18 – Following a raid on the headquarters of the South African Football Association (SAFA) by the country’s criminal investigation unit, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stepped in with their own investigation.
The police raid was part of an investigation into allegations that SAFA boss Danny Jordaan (pictured) misappropriated over R1.3 million ($70,000) of the association’s money. CAF has ordered SAFA to submit a report proving that the governing body and Jordaan didn’t violate CAF and FIFA’s statutes.
In a statement, CAF said they were “concerned about the respect and image of football in South Africa” following the raid.
The confederation explained: “CAF is looking into this matter based on and in accordance with the CAF and FIFA statutes and regulations and has requested SAFA to provide CAF with a report, indicating that SAFA and its president, Dr Danny Jordaan, at no stage and under no circumstances violated or breached the CAF and FIFA statutes and regulations.”
CAF is led by South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe. Jordaan helped Motsepe to become the continent’s football supremo and is an advisor to the CAF president. In South African football circles, Jordaan however is not popular even though he has been SAFA president since 2013.
On March 8, the South African Police Service’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks, raided SAFA’s headquarters. They said that they were executing warrants related to allegations of “fraud and theft amounting to R1.3 million” at SAFA.
The investigation is focussing on the hiring of Badger Security Services to protect Jordaan before the 2018 elections and the appointment of Grit Communications to handle the association’s communications.
Grit Communications were brought on board as Jordaan faced rape accusations which led to a case being laid against him by former ANC member of parliament and musician Jennifer Ferguson.
Following the raid, SAFA had already gone on the counter-attack, arguing defamation against Jordaan.
“We will further institute civil action for defamation of character against those involved in the naming of the Safa president’s name in an ongoing investigation. We contend that this is unethical and unlawful as the police never mentioned anyone’s name in matters that are under investigation,” read a SAFA statement.
“We believe, unfortunately, that these members of the police have been compromised and are being used in the callous abuse of state resources. Let us reiterate: there is no money missing from Safa.”
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