Update: Former employer allegedly stole R20 milliom from Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates‘ legal action follows an extensive internal forensic investigation into financial transactions at the club. According to court papers, the investigation identified approximately R43.1 million in unauthorised funds that allegedly flowed from Orlando Pirates accounts into accounts controlled by Joselowsky between 2016 and 2026.

ORLANDO PIRATES SEEK TO PROTECT CLUB FUNDS

The court papers describe Joselowsky’s former position at Orlando Pirates as one involving an exceptionally high level of responsibility and trust.

Club commercial manager Mpumelelo Khoza stated in an affidavit that Joselowsky occupied a position of “extreme personal and fiduciary trust”, with “complete responsibility for managing the bank accounts, payroll, supplier disbursements and financial ledgers.”

According to the forensic investigation, concerns began emerging in July 2026 when routine management account reviews reportedly identified significant discrepancies.

Orlando Pirates subsequently approached the High Court without giving Joselowsky prior notice. It argues that an advance warning could allow funds to be moved before the court could intervene.

The affidavit claims that “if an interim freezing order is refused, [Joselowsky] will dissipate the stolen proceeds across multiple local and offshore banking accounts”, potentially causing “an irreparable monetary loss to the club.”

The court papers also raise concerns about Joselowsky’s Austrian citizenship. The club considers relevant to its concerns about the potential movement of funds and his ability to leave South Africa.

LEGAL PROCESS CONTINUES AS BUCCANEERS PURSUE RECOVERY

The matter involves both civil recovery proceedings. There is an ongoing criminal process as Orlando Pirates attempts to establish what happened to the money identified during the investigation.

Orlando Pirates spokesperson Thandi Merafe has stressed that the club’s court application should not be interpreted as a final determination against the former employee.

The club described the legal action as a “precautionary step to preserve funds while the matter is investigated.”

Orlando Pirates further emphasised that “the application is a precautionary step to protect the Club’s funds” and “does not constitute a final judicial finding of wrongdoing.”

Attempts by members of the media to locate Joselowsky at his listed residence in Glenhazel have reportedly been unsuccessful, with estate security indicating that there was no record of him at the address.

The legal proceedings will now determine the next steps as Orlando Pirates seeks to preserve the identified funds and trace the transactions highlighted by its forensic investigation.

For the club, the immediate priority is protecting its financial interests while allowing the High Court and relevant authorities to deal with the allegations through the proper legal process.