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| South Africans shocked by World Cup scandal | South Africans shocked by World Cup scandal |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A bitter taste has been left in the mouths of South Africans by the allegation by US prosecutors that bribes were paid to host the 2010 World Cup. | A bitter taste has been left in the mouths of South Africans by the allegation by US prosecutors that bribes were paid to host the 2010 World Cup. |
| Nelson Mandela was seen as instrumental in South Africa hosting the first tournament on African soil. | Nelson Mandela was seen as instrumental in South Africa hosting the first tournament on African soil. |
| Many people I spoke to in Johannesburg believe it was his "Madiba magic" of the anti-apartheid hero that clinched the bid - and that South Africa proved itself by putting on a good show. | Many people I spoke to in Johannesburg believe it was his "Madiba magic" of the anti-apartheid hero that clinched the bid - and that South Africa proved itself by putting on a good show. |
| "People are always going to talk bad, especially when South Africa or Africa has done a really good job hosting the World Cup," a young man in his twenties said. | "People are always going to talk bad, especially when South Africa or Africa has done a really good job hosting the World Cup," a young man in his twenties said. |
| "I don't think there's any scandal in us hosting the World Cup. If there is, will the evidence stand in court? That's the question." | "I don't think there's any scandal in us hosting the World Cup. If there is, will the evidence stand in court? That's the question." |
| And according to South African officials, it will not. | And according to South African officials, it will not. |
| Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula was unequivocal in his denial about the alleged $10m (£6.5m) bribe mentioned in the US indictment. | Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula was unequivocal in his denial about the alleged $10m (£6.5m) bribe mentioned in the US indictment. |
| "We are not in any way involved as government in the transferring of illegal money for the purposes of the 2010 World Cup," he said. | |
| Mr Mbalula confidently told reporters that the financial statements before and after the tournament received "a clean audit" from the auditor-general. | Mr Mbalula confidently told reporters that the financial statements before and after the tournament received "a clean audit" from the auditor-general. |
| The US indictment states that the South Africans "were unable to arrange the bribe for the payment to be made directly from government funds". | The US indictment states that the South Africans "were unable to arrange the bribe for the payment to be made directly from government funds". |
| It alleges that it was then arranged through Fifa using money that would have been paid to South Africa to support the global event. | It alleges that it was then arranged through Fifa using money that would have been paid to South Africa to support the global event. |
| The indictment also mentions an earlier incident when a high-ranking South African bid committee official allegedly handed over "a briefcase containing bundles of US currency in $10,000 stack in a hotel room" in Paris to a co-conspirator of former Fifa Vice-President Jack Warner - who has denied all the allegations. | The indictment also mentions an earlier incident when a high-ranking South African bid committee official allegedly handed over "a briefcase containing bundles of US currency in $10,000 stack in a hotel room" in Paris to a co-conspirator of former Fifa Vice-President Jack Warner - who has denied all the allegations. |
| 'Afro-pessimism' | 'Afro-pessimism' |
| It is these details that have shocked many people. | It is these details that have shocked many people. |
| "It's really sad. But the reality is, this is Africa and it's the sort of thing we've come to expect," a businesswoman said. | "It's really sad. But the reality is, this is Africa and it's the sort of thing we've come to expect," a businesswoman said. |
| But an official from the South African Football Association insists the bid was run by "men of integrity", including Nelson Mandela. | But an official from the South African Football Association insists the bid was run by "men of integrity", including Nelson Mandela. |
| Tokyo Sexwale, who was imprisoned with Mr Mandela during apartheid and is now an anti-racism campaigner for Fifa, was also clear that corruption should never be tolerated. | Tokyo Sexwale, who was imprisoned with Mr Mandela during apartheid and is now an anti-racism campaigner for Fifa, was also clear that corruption should never be tolerated. |
| When I pressed him about whether he was ever aware of any wrongdoing during the 2010 World Cup, his answer was quick. | When I pressed him about whether he was ever aware of any wrongdoing during the 2010 World Cup, his answer was quick. |
| "I used to be a member of the Local Organising Committee. The books were very, very clean." | "I used to be a member of the Local Organising Committee. The books were very, very clean." |
| Some South Africans tend to pull the race card when criticised - believing they are being singled out simply because they are Africans. They feel that Afro-pessimism is at play even in this case. | Some South Africans tend to pull the race card when criticised - believing they are being singled out simply because they are Africans. They feel that Afro-pessimism is at play even in this case. |
| But what they are reluctant to recognise is that this is a wide-ranging investigation about Fifa, and not about South Africa in particular. | But what they are reluctant to recognise is that this is a wide-ranging investigation about Fifa, and not about South Africa in particular. |
| There are many other countries that are also implicated in this scandal. | There are many other countries that are also implicated in this scandal. |