Hawks on SAFA trail for five years - Colonel Katlego Mogale

Mogale revealed that this case is in connection with allegations of fraud and theft amounting to R1.3 million, with SAFA president Danny Jordaan the focal point at present.

Mogale traced the Hawks’ steps since the complaint was reported in 2019.

"We followed this case since it's reporting around 2019 and we have looked through the merits of the complaint, and went as far as trying to get more evidence before we arrest anyone so that we are able to link how many people are involved," explained Mogale.

Six vehicles carrying around 10 members of The Hawks are reported to have arrived at the SAFA offices on Friday morning, carrying search and seizure warrants. 

According to Mogale, it's alleged that several years ago Jordaan used the SAFA’s resources for his personal gain without the approval of the National Executive Committee. 

"The search warrants were prompted by allegations of fraud and theft amounting to R1.3 million, and these allegations are purported to be [from] between 2014 and 2018, wherein the president of SAFA used the organisations resources for his personal gain," she explained.

"This included hiring a private security company for his personal protection and a PR company without authorisation from the SAFA board."

During the search, a laptop, external hard drives, a USB, and documents were seized from the SAFA offices.

Meanwhile, SAFA have labelled Friday's raid "shameful" and "malicious", as they accused The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation of acting unlawfully.

"We want to set it out from the onset that we believe the search was unlawful, malicious and not conducted in terms of the directives of a warrant given to us," read a statement from the Association.

"We were not furnished with all the documents prescribed by law. The documents that were furnished by the Hawks during the shameful raid were incomplete and unlawful. 

"We contend that it was done deliberately and intentionally in order to action this malicious action."

SAFA further noted they would institute legal action against The Hawks Serious Commercial Crimes Investigation unit.

"We have instructed our attorneys to bring an urgent application to review and set aside this search and seizure. We have further instructed our attorneys to bring a formal complaint to the oversight arbitrator of the Hawks regarding the action of all involved members," further read the statement.

"We will further institute civil action for defamation of character against those involved in the naming of the SAFA President’s name in an ongoing investigation. 

"We contend that this is unethical and unlawful as the police never mentioned anyone’s name in matters that are under investigation."

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