SD in world cup ticket blunder

MBABANE – The on going sale of the World Cup ticket package by the Local 2010 Committee has been classified as illegal.

Reports carried by a South African online publication quoted South Africa’s Deputy Director-General for Consumer and Corporate Regulations stating that special regulations under the Department of Trade and Industry criminalise the sale of tickets or offer them as part of a travel or promotional hospitality package. That also includes sweepstakes prizes without having been authorised.

The local ticket package costs E500 and it includes transport and tickets to watch games staged at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
The committee according to the regulations faces fines of up to E200 000 or a five year jail sentence for selling the FIFA World Cup tickets as a package.

The Africa news.com website urged fans to verify the authenticity of their tickets to avoid the disappointment of being turned away from matches.

When reached for comment earlier in the day, the LOC Chief Operations Officer (COO) Apollo Maphalala shrugged off the threats stating there was nothing wrong in what they were doing.

A detailed questionnaire was then sent to his office, but by the close of business yesterday he had not responded. He was reported to be locked in a meeting for the better part of the afternoon and evening.
And LOC chairperson Gciniwe Fakudze referred all comments to Maphalala when sought yesterday. However, Fakudze had stated clearly a fortnight ago when the packages were launched that they include transport and entrance to the stadium during the games.

However, the office is running adverts in the print and electronic media on the packages for the World Cup tickets. The cheapest ticket to non South Africans costs not less than R500. Some of the games to be played at Mbombela Stadium include that for the defending champions Italy against New Zealand to be played on June 20, kick-off 4pm. Another interesting clash will be between Korea DPR and Ivory Coast on June 25, starting at 4pm.
Interested fans may get the packages that include transport and tickets to the games at the 2010 offices, Sigwaca House.

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