Minister Fikile Mbalula responds to Mail & Guardian article
3 July 2015
The Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa, Mr Fikile Mbalula has noted a Mail & Guardian article that parades a letter written to former LOC members as attempt to “gag” them from speaking about the 2010 FIFA World Cup bribe allegations by the U.S Justice Department levelled against South Africa (see here).
The M&G report is nothing but a reflection of gutter journalism at best. Their investigative team “AmaBhungane” have proven themselves to be best at using Google to copy, paste and paraphrase old news purporting them as “new developments”. The M&G tried to distort an honest communication by the Minister to former LOC Members.
Minister Mbalula issued statements on the 28th and 30th of May 2015 in which he discouraged speculation on the matter and called upon South Africans to be patient as government sought to address this matter and gather all the relevant details.
Addressing the media on the 28th of May Minister Mbalula Minister Mbalula said: “This is a matter of national importance, we call upon all who were involved in the process of bidding and execution of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to desist from making statements and to afford the National Government of the Republic of South Africa through the Ministry and Department of Sport and Recreation to handle this matter through the diplomatic channels. We also call upon those wishing to provide any information to provide such through the government of the Republic of South Africa”