SAFA raid challenge removed from High Court roll again

 The matter was scheduled to be heard last week Monday, April 27, which happens to be a public holiday commemorating Freedom Day. Due to this complication it was expected that it will obviously be rescheduled to another day. Speaking to the public broadcaster during the last court appearance at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, Danny Jordaan’s lawyer Victor Nkhwashu said that the court registrar normally keeps the dates around that one open so as to reschedule to the next day or bring it forward where possible. 

Now according to a well-placed source, the matter was removed from the roll on Tuesday April 28 and Acting Deputy Judge President Roland Sutherland will now have to secure an available judge and allocate it a new date in the special motion court. Asked if the Football Association will have to file a fresh application at the High Court, our informer told us they will not have to go through the whole process again, but simply approach the ADJP for a new date.

This is not the first time the matter gets removed from the roll, as it was the case last October after SAFA did not show up in court. This fresh delay might also strengthen the defence’s argument in the fraud and corruption case, in which they have filed a new application for Section 342A of the Criminal Procedure Act, which mandates courts to investigate unreasonable delays in criminal proceedings. That matter will be heard on the 25th of this month when the case resumes in Katlehong. 

The raid in March 2024 saw some evidence collected from SAFA House, leading to the arrest of Jordaan, CFO Gronie Hluyo, and Grit Communications boss Trevor Neethling in November that year. Former Acting CEO Russell Paul was also added to the charge sheet a full year later. 

The NPA had not responded to our requests for comment at the time of publishing.