An elite South African police unit has stormed the headquarters of the South African Football Association (SAFA), also known as SAFA House, in Johannesburg as part of investigations into fraud and theft linked to SAFA president Danny Jordaan.

The early Friday morning raid, which the elite Hawks unit said resulted in the seizure of documents, a laptop, USB, and an external hard drive, took place amid allegations of fraud and theft amounting to R1.3 million.

The Hawks say between 2014 and 2018, the President of SAFA used the organisation’s resources for his personal gain, including hiring a private security company for his personal protection.

Though it didn’t name Jordaan as the prime suspect, he was the president of SAFA at the time.

“The allegations are that between 2014 and 2018, the president of SAFA used the organisation’s resources for his personal gain, including hiring a private security company for his personal protection and a public relations company, without authorization from the SAFA Board. The president is also reported to have violated SAFA statutes, thus prejudicing SAFA with an actual loss of R1.3 million.” Reads the statement from the unit

Both SAFA and Jordaan have since denied any wrongdoing.

In a blistering media statement, SAFA says it was aware of the amount and is satisfied that it was for services rendered, for which contracts can be provided.

“The Hawks are claiming allegations of fraud and theft amounting to R1.3 million. SAFA is well aware of the amount and is satisfied that it was for services rendered, for which contracts can be provided.”

“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.”

“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 take this malicious action.”

“As a result of this, 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.”

“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.”

“We believe, unfortunately, that these members of the police have been compromised and are being used in the callous abuse of state resources. Let us reiterate, there is no money missing from SAFA.”