Corruption drives away investors
THE Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalula, yesterday warned sports bodies that a "culture of corruption" would drive investors away.
We don't want a racist social certification debate when the Springboks go overseas - how many blacks are there in the team
He was addressing business people in Johannesburg and singled out Athletics South Africa, South African Football Association and Cricket South Africa.
He said donors would not channel money to an environment plagued by theft and mismanagement.
Sponsors have been wary of putting money into Cricket SA ever since the bonus scandal erupted in the organisation when chief executive Gerald Majola secretly paid bonuses to himself and select staff. Majola reportedly earned R1.8million in unauthorised bonuses.
Cricket SA is also likely to lose one of its last two sponsors, Sunfoil, according to Business Day yesterday. That would leave only Castle Lager as a sponsor.
Mbalula said the government would continue to intervene to ensure good corporate governance in all federations. He said he was forced to intervene because people were dragging their feet.
"You are given lots of money," he said, directing his words to sports administrators. "We must be corporate- driven, focused and disciplined."
He said the government would put pressure on corrupt sports bodies.
In October, Mbalula ordered an inquiry into alleged corruption at Cricket SA following a report by auditors KPMG into the organisation's financial affairs.
The inquiry, headed by Judge Chris Nicholson, is expected to report to the minister at the end of the month. Mbalula said he did not want to comment on the cricket bonus issue because it was subject to the inquiry, but added: "It can't be right for corporate South Africa. We have made it clear that we will not collaborate with corrupt activities in sport."
Mbalula said the failure by Safa and Bafana to correctly read the rules of the Nations Cup "can't inspire us to invest our money in a business that does not inspire us".
Asked about the probability of a white Springbok rugby coach being appointed on Friday, the minister said: "It is not the colour that defines development. Even if you can put a black person to become coach, it depends on the material you have.
"We don't want a racist social certification debate when the Springboks go overseas - how many blacks are there in the team?"
He repeated a call made in November at the Sports Indaba for the National Lotteries Board to invest R200million in schools sport. - additional reporting by Sapa
Shredder
""It is not the colour that defines development. Even if you can put a black person to become coach, it depends on the material you have. We don't want a racist social certification debate when the Springboks go overseas - how many blacks are there in the team?"Dankie san. People must be appointed on merit. I don't want to see black players who will be there just to add colour into the team. I want performers. Just like in soccer, I don't want to see white players in there just add colour, I want performers.
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samsam
not necessarily in sports alone, and government too where you seem to be align with corrupt elements yourself Im referring to Malema, if corruption stinks with you why nt rebuke Malema, why cannt you ask him where he got all these material yet you were in the same position but could nt afford all these empires , R16 million in three yrs, nononoReport Abuse
rasefatee
I thought they are not aware of the flames of corruption,Oh they are aware, but it is seems to be none of their business. If there was a choice not to pay tax i would definately say no for tax to be deducted from my salary. many young people abandon school and opt to join politics to get rich quick through tenders, because there is no need to produce a bachelor degree to become a tenderpreneur.Report Abuse
