‘Smear campaign’ – Jordaan’s backers cry foul

The state alleged that, between 2014 and 2018, Jordaan hired a private security company for his personal protection and acquired the services of a public relations company without authorisation from the SAFA board.

The court heard on Wednesday that the 73-year-old hired the public relations firm after his reputation took a knock in 2017 when a South African singer and former lawmaker accused him of sexually assaulting her more than 20 years earlier.

SAFA’s legal representative Lesedi Mphahlele said they believed the charges were part of further attempts at tarnishing Jordaan’s reputation.

“This is a frivolous case; this has happened before ahead of an election in 2017 where the president of SAFA was charged for allegedly having raped Jennifer. Two years later the matter was dropped. It was a clear ploy to charge the president in order to pressure him to step aside.”

Mphahlele said the current case, which centres around Jordaan’s authority to sign off on the contracts in question, was influenced by disgruntled to members of the association.

READ MORE: Jordaan granted bail after arrest on fraud, theft charges

“The statute of SAFA, under article 39 (1), clearly states that the president represents the association legally and that he is entitled to sign on behalf of SAFA. So, this is just another smear campaign.

“If you look at the list of witnesses, and you go through all 19 names, it’s all former disgruntled members of SAFA who have been part of a smear campaign trying to change the leadership of SAFA. They haven’t succeeded, and they won’t succeed this time too.”

Meanwhile, in his bail application, Neethling, the sole director of PR company Grit Communication, said he and his company were “collateral damage” amid infighting at the football association.

“The impending action against me is the result of unjustified allegations, primarily by individuals who have led SAFA and seem to have a personal vendetta or issue with Dr Jordaan. I am of the view that Grit Communication and I should not be involved in that imbroglio.

“Individuals such as Mr (Dennis) Mumble are seriously prejudicing me and violating my rights. They are in fact committing perjury, crimen injuria, and defeating the ends of justice by their continued untrue and unjustified statements,” he said.

NO STEP-ASIDE RULE

Speaking to the media outside court, SAFA’s vice president Bennet Bailey said Jordaan would be able to continue with his duties despite being criminally charged.

“That’s for political parties, especially the ruling party. That is the policy of that party, and in SAFA there’s no such thing. You’re not guilty until proven guilty, and that’s our official position.”

Jordaan and his co-accused faced three counts of fraud, three counts of theft, and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud and theft.

In court, Jordaan’s lawyers asked for the relaxation of bail conditions that would require him to surrender his passport, stating that this would hinder the execution of his duties.

Defence lawyer Victor Nkwashu argued that his client needed to travel extensively, also alluding to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Bafana Bafana and Uganda in Kampala on Friday.

The court ordered that Jordaan keep his passport, however, he would be required to inform the investigating officer and provide a detailed travel itinerary 72 hours in advance.

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