FIFA bribery: Minister Mbalula, non-answers won’t make it go away 

25 June 2015

The DA has today written to the Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the Leader of Government Business regarding Minister Mbalula's blatant unresponsiveness to written parliamentary questions to do with anything FIFA related.

Minister Mbalula's responses to several questions submitted by the DA and other opposition parties reveal barefaced contempt for parliamentary accountability and rises to the level of an abuse of process. These are questions Minister’s ought to answer unless the information is declared sensitive and is classified.

A classic example of this is the Ministers response to parliamentary question which sought specific details on the $10 million allegedly paid to the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF). The reply does not answer any of the very specific questions and merely regurgitates the standard and inadequate government response we have heard before.

In another question, which asked questions about Danny Jordaan’s possible remuneration from the South African Football Association, the Minister replies that “We are not in a position to respond to this question”.

These responses are yet more examples of the Minister's orchestrated efforts to shield Danny Jordaan, Molefi Oliphant and other former members of the bid and Local Organising Committees (LOC) from parliamentary scrutiny regarding the 2010 World Cup bribery allegations.

Written parliamentary questions are one of the instruments of oversight that Members of Parliament have to hold the Executive to account. Members of the Executive are duty-bound to answer the questions truthfully and in full.

For a Minister who usually has so much to say, Mbalula's reticent attitude towards parliamentary questions exposes his disdain for Parliament and the South African public who deserve answers as to why the $10 million was ‘gifted’ to the CONCACAF.

The DA believes that government officials must be directly accountable to the people and at all times act honestly, transparently and in the interests of the South African public. It does not seem that the Minister holds the same beliefs.

The DA will continue to fight for answers and accountability to do with these allegations of bribery now tarnishing one of the proudest moments in our history.

Text of parliamentary replies:

I

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR THE MINISTER

QUESTION NUMBER 2158

INTRODUCTION

1 The above mentioned question appears on the Internal Question Paper of the National Assembly.

2. A draft reply to the question is included in pocket 2 for the consideration of the Executive Authority (EA).

QUESTION 2158

Mr M S Malatsi (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:

With reference to $10 million allegedly paid to the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) in 2008 by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Soccer World Cup in 2010, (a) which representative from (i) his department, (ii) the SA Football Association, (iii) the 2010 World Cup Bid Committee, (iv) the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee and (v) any other (aa) state entity and/or (bb)authority (aaa) instructed and/or (bbb) authorised the payment(s) on behalf of South Africa from the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) to CONCACAF, (b) in each of the above cases, (i) what is the position of the respective individual in the specified institution, (ii) with whom did the specified representative(s) communicate at FIFA to authorise the payment and(iii) what are the reasons for allocating said money to CONCACAF instead of any other football confederation?​​ NW2470E

REPLY

The funds paid to CONCAF were paid in aid of government policy of African Rennaisaance which includes the African Diaspora. This was a football matter between the South African Football Association and FIFA in aid of government policy. SAFA through its then President Molefi Oliphant communicated the decision to FIFA. The programme targeted the African continent and Africans in the diaspora. 

II

1976. Mr M S Malatsi (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:

(1)  Whether a certain person (name and details furnished) receives any financial amount for (a) attending meetings, (b) travelling, (c) accommodation and/or (d) any other reason for conducting SA Football Association business; if so, what are the exact financial amounts in rands in each case;

(2)  whether the specified person receives any financial amount for (a) allowances, (b) incentives,(c) subsidies and/or (d) any other purpose for conducting the business of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as is the case with a certain person (name furnished); if so, what are the exact financial amounts in rands in each case;

(3) whether the specified person receives any financial amount for (a) allowances, (b) incentives, (c) subsidies and/or (d) any other purpose for serving on the committees of the (i) Council of Southern Africa Football Associations, (ii) CAF and (iii) International Federation of Football (Fifa); if so, what are the exact financial amounts in rands in each case?                                                                           NW2238E

REPLY

We are not in a position to respond to this question if more details on the name can be provided.

ENDS

Statement issued by Solly Malatsi MP, DA Shadow Minister of Sports and Recreation, June 25 2015