SA MP resignations may hurt soccer World Cup

In the light of a spate of ministerial resignations following the firing of South Africa’s president last week, the local organising committee (LOC) for the 2010 soccer World Cup would meet urgently to determine how changes would affect preparations.

LOC chairman Irvin Khoza confirmed that the resignations would be discussed at an urgent board meeting next week.

Given the size of the project, all the government ministries are involved in ensuring the success of the soccer World Cup. Currently, various government departments have given 15 guarantees in support of the tournament.

“Right now we are consulting with the ministries. It is important to say that the ministries have not resigned, and the government guarantees were signed by the ministries and not the individuals,” said Khoza.

The LOC would request certainties that the departures of key officials wouldn’t negatively affect any projects that the departments were driving.

Khoza added that the LOC had made Fifa aware of the political changes.
Fifa requires several guarantees from countries wishing to host the event, in the areas of access to the country, safety and security, healthcare services, a supportive financial environment, and transport and communications.

Some of these guarantees give Fifa extensive powers in the host country before, during and after the event. While South Africa would still need to pay to stage the event, goods belonging to the delegation, its commercial affiliates, broadcast rights holders, the media and spectators would have import and export customs duties, taxes, costs waived.

South African Revenue Service (SARS) has also agreed to provide administrative support in handling tax connected to the event, while the treasury has guaranteed unrestricted import and export of all foreign currencies, as well as their conversion into dollars, euro and Swiss francs.