Orlando Pirates have gone to the Johannesburg High Court to freeze R20.2 million allegedly linked to their former finance manager, Darryl Joselowsky. According to court papers, the application follows a forensic investigation into the club’s financial transactions. The allegations have not been tested in court.
What the Court Papers Allege
The club’s investigation reportedly flagged about R43.1 million in unauthorised funds that allegedly moved from Pirates accounts into accounts controlled by Joselowsky between 2016 and 2026. The R20.2 million that Pirates want frozen is the portion they say is directly linked to alleged fraud by the former employee.
In an affidavit, commercial manager Mpumelelo Khoza described the finance manager’s role as one of “extreme personal and fiduciary trust,” covering the club’s bank accounts, payroll, supplier payments and financial ledgers. The papers say concerns surfaced in July 2026, when routine management account reviews turned up significant discrepancies.
Why the Club Went to Court Without Notice
Pirates approached the High Court without warning Joselowsky first. The club argues that advance notice could give him time to move the money before the court could act. The affidavit claims funds could be dispersed across local and offshore accounts if an interim freezing order is refused, causing irreparable loss to the club.
The papers also raise Joselowsky’s Austrian citizenship, which the club says is relevant to its concerns about the movement of funds and his ability to leave South Africa.
“Not a Finding of Wrongdoing”
Club spokesperson Thandi Merafe stressed that the application is a precautionary step to protect club funds and is not a final judicial finding of wrongdoing. Pirates are pursuing civil recovery, and a criminal process is also reportedly under way as the club tries to establish where the money went.
What Happens Next
The High Court and the relevant authorities will now determine the next steps, while Pirates try to preserve the identified funds and trace the transactions flagged by their investigators.
