World Cup 2010 Tender Scandal Resurfaces, Implicates South African Premier Ace Magashule

A seven-year-old scandal involving former Free State premier, Ace Magashule, linked to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa has recently resurfaced. The saga revolves around an allegedly crooked tender to supply football-related gear, valued at R9.5 million. It was intended to deliver 30,000 soccer T-shirts and 20,000 blankets.

The under-the-table operations are said to have been facilitated by the premier. A document of the alleged manipulation comes from businessman Abiel Mokotso, director of Bakamoso Media House. He maintains that his firm was utilized as a façade by an entity linked to Magashule.

The potentially criminal deal has taken a sour turn for Mokotso, now facing a criminal lawsuit and a R2.2 million penalty from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). He also claims early police reluctance to investigate his counter-accusation against Magashule, raising further questions about the premier’s supposed sway over contracts awarded to his confidantes.

The high-stakes deal involved the influential Dockrat family and their conglomerate, Sedgars group, known to be well-connected to Magashule. Mokotso accuses chief executive Zaid Dockrat of using him as a conveniet scapegoat, and has opened a fraud case against Magashule and Sedgars.

It is alleged that the local police inquiry into Magashule's role was deliberately squashed without proper investigation. Yet, a recent leak from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPId) shows that safety and security minister Fikile Mbalula has requested a case review.

Mokotso suggests that meddling from high-profile figures hindered the investigation, with IPid chief investigator Matthew Sesoko suggesting questionable behavior from the initial investigating officer. The watchdog has recommended that an independent investigation should be mounted by the Hawks, South Africa's Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.