FIFA Corruption: Mbalula’s denialism necessitates police investigation
17 March 2016
It has become more important now more than ever that domestic law enforcement must investigate the allegations that a bribe was paid to the tune of $10 million. This is after the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, held a press conference in which he again chose not to do his part in getting to the bottom of who was responsible for this scandal that is not only an international embarrassment but blemishes the 2010 World Cup which millions of South Africans hold dear.
Minister Mbalula, in his press conference, only offered his trademark platitudes and obfuscated some of the most important issues that need to be addressed by him in an effort to finally resolve this matters and hold those responsible for this corrupt conduct. Further to this the Minister said that money was paid for a myriad programmes to benefit African football. However when probed further he refused to provide detail.
This is highly problematic. What government or organisation would authorise the payment of $10 million without documentation or regular reporting on how the funds were spent? Surely decisions of this magnitude would have been documented if they were indeed above board.
Appreciating the seriousness of this we implore South Africans law enforcement to finally act in this regard and provide a progress report on these charges.
To date they have shown little interest in holding the relevant individuals to account despite the pressing need to establish the truth about this matter
Furthermore the fact that FIFA representatives have already sent questions to Danny Jordaan, Molefi Oliphant and Irvin Khoza in relation to the $10million reaffirms the need for law enforcement authorities to expedite the progress report on the charges laid against Jordaan and Oliphant.
Additionally, Dany Jordaan and then SAFA President, Molefe Oliphant, should do the right thing and come clean about their role in this bribe that is a dark cloud over the 2010 World Cup.
Issued by Solly Malatsi, DA Shadow Minister of Sports and Recreation, 17 March 2016
