Share

FIFA scandal: Sexwale breaks his silence

Cape Town - Tokyo Sexwale has broken his silence on the 2010 Soccer World Cup bribery allegations against the wishes of the South African government. 

According to the BBC, Tokyo Sexwale says the allegations of corruption stemming from the US investigation are "worrisome".

While the South African government has consistently denied all allegations of bribery, the former premier of Gauteng has spoken out about troubling consequences for those who continue to deny any possibility of bribery in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup.

The cash-for-votes controversy centres around a $10 million payment made to CONCACAF and the Caribbean Football Union which was controlled at the time by Jack Warner, as part of the Diaspora Legacy Programme. 

Sexwale, a member of both the 2010 World Cup bid team and 2010 Local Organising Committee, has now questioned the claims that the payment was indeed a donation.

The former Human Settlements Minister questioned the whereabouts of the documents, invoices, budgets and end projects left in place by the Diaspora Legacy Programme.

Sexwale added: "If they are not there, you are going to leave the FBI (US Federal Bureau of Investigation) interpretation intact."

Sexwale name remains among the small list of individuals that could be one of the two South Africans allegedly involved in paying bribes in order to secure the 2010 Soccer World Cup would be hosted in South Africa. Sexwale denied knowledge or any involvement in any bribery. 

Sexwale's interview with the BBC goes against the South African Sports and Recreation's minister plea that members involved in the bidding process desist from making statements on the matter. 

Mbalula said earlier: "As 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."

The BBC also stated that "the sports ministry did not respond over the weekend to phone and email requests for a response to Mr Sexwale's comments".

Listen to the full BBC interview with Tokyo Sexwale HERE!

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1814 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1774 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1081 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 459 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 186 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE