South African soccer chief Danny Jordaan, who helped bring the first-ever FIFA World Cup tournament to Africa, has been arrested on fraud and theft charges.

Jordaan is accused of using about R1.3 million ($72,372) of South African Football Association (SAFA) funds to hire a PR firm and a private security company for his personal benefit.

Jordaan is president of the association and led the country’s World Cup bid committee which secured the rights to host one of the biggest sporting events in South Africa in 2010.

His arrest follows a raid by the country’s Special Investigating Unit at the offices of SAFA in March “where an assortment of electronic gadgets and files were seized for further investigation, thus leading to the arrest,” police spokesperson Katlego Mogale said.

According to the police, Jordaan was arrested alongside SAFA Chief Financial Officer Gronie Hluyo. They are expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on soon.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the arrest saying ‘’we believe that Jordaan and Hluyo’s actions have damaged the integrity of SAFA and eroded public trust in South African football. Their alleged misconduct warrants immediate action to restore confidence in SAFA’s leadership. The DA calls for their removal to ensure that SAFA can begin the necessary process of rebuilding itself on a foundation of transparency and ethical management.