Theft charges against South African Football Association (SAFA) president, Danny Jordaan, have been withdrawn. However, the other charge of fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud remain. The soccer boss appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court alongside his co-accused, Gronie Hluyo and Trevor Neethling, where the matter was postponed to 15 August.

THINGS CAN STILL CHANGE

The soccer boss is accused of using R1.3 million of SAFA money for his personal benefit. The National Prosecuting Authority's Phindi Mjonondwane explained that they have presented the court with a provisional charge sheet. "Once the information that changes the complexion of the case becomes available, as the state, we can still change the charge sheet by adding or removing charges. However, once we reach the plea and trial stage, then we have to provide the court with our final charge sheet," Mjonondwane said.

She dismissed the notion that the state may have been quick to charge the accused without gathering their facts first. "Remember that accused number two made representations to the regional head of the specialised commercial crimes unit, so with the information that has been made available the state had to conduct further investigations emanating from the information that was provided by the accused." She said this was a normal course in criminal proceedings.

THE CASE CONTINUES

The accused were charged with three counts of fraud, three counts of theft and conspiracy to commit fraud and theft. These charges stem from allegations of R1.3-million fraud and theft of Safa's financial resources between 2014 and 2018. All accused are out on R20,000 bail. During the last appearance, the court heard two applications from the State and the accused. Jordaan also launched an application to have the matter struck from the roll, citing unreasonable delays, something the NPA strongly opposed.