Danny Jordaan fraud case postponed to September

Jordaan is accused of using the federation’s funds for his own personal gain, including allegedly hiring a security company as well as a PR company without the approval of the board.

State prosecutor advocate Moagi Malebati revealed in court on Friday that a new Acting Director of Public Prosecutions has been appointed, replacing the suspended Andrew Chauke. 

Advocate Mzukisi Sakata will only assume office on September 1, meaning he will only be able to apply his mind on the representations by the defense attorneys to have the matter struck off the roll then. 

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Malebati also reiterated his stance that the High Court matter in which SAFA is challenging the search and seizure at their Nasrec Headquarters in March last year, has no bearing on this particular case.

Lawyer for accused 1 and 3 - Danny Jordaan and Gronie Hluyo respectively - Victor Nkwashu, immediately hit back at the state accusing them of contriving to humiliate his clients if the raid has no bearing on the case. 

Responding to the prosecution's allegations that they created their own emergency by heading to the already backlogged High Court instead of opting for a trial within a trial at the Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge, Nkwashu said his clients exercised their right to challenge the search and seizure before the matter even began. 

He also confirmed that they're still waiting for a hearing date for the High Court matter, despite both they and the state having already filed their heads of argument, but still submitted that the matter should be struck off the roll due to the expected delays.

Meanwhile, legal representative for accused number 2 and 4 - Trevor Neethling and Grit Communications respectively - James Ndebele, insisted that his clients are caught in the crossfire between Jordaan and those who want to discredit him, and gave the state an ultimatum to make a decision on the dropping of charges against his clients by the 12th. 

He gave the notice in terms of Section 342 - which allows him to argue unreasonable delays for the matter to be removed, and said If they fail to make a decision by the next appearance, he will argue the application. 

Ndebele also took a swipe at Chauke himself for failing to make a decision for more than five months since he made the representations, and even went as far as labelling him incompetent. 

In granting the postponement, Magistrate Shirley Soko-Rantao implored the NPA to ensure the new Acting DPP prioritises the matter.