Danny Jordaan's co-accused says he's collateral damage of infighting within SAFA
Businessman, Trevor Neethling, said he intends to plead not guilty on all charges against him.
Trevor Neethling, a co-accused of SAFA president Danny Jordaan, appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge on 13 November 2024. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - One of the accused persons in the SA Football Association (SAFA) fraud case says he is collateral damage of infighting within the organisation.
Businessman, Trevor Neethling, said he intends to plead not guilty on all charges against him.
On Wednesday, Neethling appeared at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge alongside SAFA president, Danny Jordaan, and SAFA chief financial officer, Gronie Hluyo.
READ: Fraud-accused SAFA president Danny Jordaan, co-accused granted bail
The three men are accused of defrauding SAFA of R1.3 million.
In October 2017, Jordaan was accused of rape by African National Congress (ANC) member of Parliament, Jennifer Ferguson.
In a bid to clean up his public image, Jordaan hired Grit Communications to assist him with this.
Accused number two and sole director of Grit Communications, Neethling, said that his company did the job it was appointed to do.
"It is clear that Grit Communications and myself are collateral damage of factionalism and infighting within and outside SAFA as an organisation. I condemn this and appeal to the individuals who are using my name and Grit Communications not to involve us in SAFA’s battles," said Neethling’s lawyer, James Ndebele.
The matter has been adjourned to 5 December, with all three men out on R20,000 bail each.