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The 2012 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, tabled on Thursday, reveals a total of about R460 million in “unforeseeable and unavoidable expenditure” has been set aside for the hosting of the soccer event.

This includes a R213 million allocation to the sports and recreation department, most of which will be distributed to host cities.

The SA Police Service will receive an additional R165 million to provide security, while the department of arts and culture will get R18.5 million for “creative programmes in respect of the Africa Cup of Nations 2013 final draw and opening and closing ceremonies”.

According to the 2012 Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure document, also tabled on Thursday, Foreign Affairs Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is set to spend R18 million rand on providing services for heads of state who attend the tournament.

The department of home affairs will also get R15 million to spend on dedicated lanes for arriving teams and spectators at airports and border posts.

The presidency will receive R6 million for Brand South Africa to use during the event, while the Government Communications and Information System will provide services to the tune of R10 million.

Treasury will contribute R15 million to the health department to ensure medical services during the tournament.

Defending the spending at a media briefing on Thursday morning, Deputy Finance Minister Nhanhla Nene said he did not believe the amount spent on the event was extravagant.

“I do not regard the hosting of the [tournament]... as a vanity project. Neither would the soccer fraternity, [or] South Africans... ,” said Nene.

Spending on the event had been cut “to the bone”, he said.

Oversight bodies were welcome to hold government to account, and ensure the country got value for money out of the event.

Libya was meant to host the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, but backed out as a result of the political turmoil in that country.

South Africa, which was meant to host the tournament in 2017, offered to stand in for Libya.

Comments

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Sun May 19 23:58:47 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 25, 2012

McCountryMan

we do have money to run this country if it could be used wisely, all we do is to impress the world and forget abt our own very people
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Oct 25, 2012

Kenthotsabatho

Another useless jamboree, which will only attract a few thousand spectators. There will certain be no 'return' on this investment. Billions were used 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the losses thereof are still being felt.
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Oct 25, 2012

BRA-MAFUTHA

Why waste money on this useless competition and useless bafana, please people do the right thing and cancel this competition when theres time, the country is going through some big mess caused by Zuma and the ANC they even rolling out the f#cken e-toll.
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Oct 25, 2012

lerato777777

Now lets wait for the Tax to go up and up and up not forgetting Patrol,Food etc but the miners cost this country 10 b yaaahh South Africa
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Oct 25, 2012

misslegal

we do not have money to subsidise the etoll systems but we have money for Zumaville and this nonsens... This government does not care about its people and are just selfish
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Oct 25, 2012

misslegal

this government does not care about its people. i wonder when people are going to grow up and smell the coffee and vote for a more competent government
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Oct 25, 2012

Pointman

Enough room there for some serious skimming I guess. Some official has just figured out how he is going to pay for that game farm he has had his eyes on or where he is going to get the money to impress the new mistress. Cynical yes!
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Oct 25, 2012

Papage

We have a Empty heads Leaders For sure, here is the new cabinet after Mangaung:

President: T Mbeki
deputy: Nkosasana Zuma (recall her from Africa)
Finance Minister: Trevor
Tax: Gordhan ( he is only good there, just to collect not distribute)
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Oct 25, 2012

!#Sinudeity#!

At least WCape had the good sense to not take part in the tournament. The rest of the provinces will k@k to support this.
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Oct 25, 2012

!#Sinudeity#!

It was cheaper to host Manchester united in South Africa, than what it is to host African teams here.
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