Danny Jordaan fraud case stalls again as defence files recusal application

The application submitted by Trevor Neethling and his PR company Grit Communications was submitted in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge on the basis of being “tainted.” 

Legal representative for the two accused parties James Ndebele made the argument before Magistrate Shirley Soko-Rantao that Malebati has managed to get his hands on client-attorney privileged information. 

This came after Afri-Host was subpoenaed to share their clients’ email data from 2017 to 2025, but Ndebele is of the belief that the state’s powers were limited to strictly prior to the date of his client's arrest in 2024.

In response, Malebati denied being in possession of confidential information from the accused or their legal counsel, and asked to be furnished with the said data in order to make a determination on the veracity of the accusations. 

The state has also been given until 28 November to rebuff the application, with Ndebele in turn expected to respond by December 5, before the matter will be heard four days later.

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Meanwhile, the state further revealed that it considered an application to have Neethling’s bail revoked after he was found to have interfered with a witness in the form of Afri-Host. 

At the same time, Victor Nkwashu, the attorney for Jordaan, SAFA CFO Gronie Hluyo, and newly accused former SAFA CEO Russell Paul, reiterated their stance of unnecessary delays in the matter, and says the latest developments only proves this tactic.

Paul was added to the accused earlier this month, with the NPA revealing that a SAPS investigation linked him with conspiracy to commit fraud and theft by authorising payments to Grit Communications for the alleged personal services rendered to Jordaan. 

The matter has now been postponed to 11 February 2026 when a trial date will be set.