OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Wednesday 3.20pm.
THE former boss of one of the biggest soccer clubs was shot dead during an apparent car hijacking on Tuesday.
The tragedy is also considered another blow to the nation’s hopes of hosting the 2006 World Cup.
Clarence Mlokoti, 69, the founder and former chairman of Premier Soccer League club Kaizer Chiefs died of head wounds in a Johannesburg clinic on Tuesday.
He was shot by two gunmen in Soweto, while driving with his daughter. His daughter was unhurt and the gunmen fled without the car.
Mlokoti’s murder comes in the wake of a series of soccer scandals that have threatened to derail South Africa’s bid to host the World Cup.
The chief executive of the Premier Soccer League, Joe Ndhlela, was recently suspended from his post while he defends himself against charges of fraud and corruption related to a previous position held at state-owned transport group Transnet.
The high crime rate has threaten to deter support for South Africa – which is bidding against Germany, England, Brazil and Morocco – for the right to stage the World Cup. — Reuters