The Freedom Front Plus wants ANC MP Butana Komphela investigated and prosecuted for corruption and blackmail, it said on Sunday.
This comes in the wake of a Rapport article claiming Komphela had, among other things, insisted that the South African Rugby Union (SARU) pledge R2,5-million for rugby development before a tournament involving the British and Irish Lions could go ahead on Youth Day, June 16.
Komphela has, meanwhile, distanced himself from the report, describing it as distorted and far-fetched, reported the Star.
”That’s a rubbish story. I’m not going to comment on this distorted rugby rubbish,” he told the newspaper.
”I have nothing to do with that story. I’m just disgusted with the story.”
FF+ spokesperson Willie Spies said that in a letter to Saru, Komphela had emphasised the ”historic significance” of June 16 and demanded that the match, with an Eastern Cape XV, start after 4pm
to ensure it did not interfere with Youth Day celebrations.
Komphela demanded that both teams wear the words ”June 16 — Youth Day 2009” on their jerseys and that an ”audiovisual insert” be played on the big screens in the stadium, he said.
”It is now clear that the ANC abuses public sentiments surrounding 16 June to blackmail sports administrators for personal favours and political concessions.
”Two years ago organisers of the Comrades Marathon had to move the date of the event following pressure by the ANC. The rescheduling of the marathon caused a drop of more than 20% in entries for the prestigious event,” said Spies.
”The fact that Komphela now combines his threats with a claim for financial contributions is taking it too far. It is blatant blackmail and corruption,” he said.
According to the Star, Komphela accused rugby officials of deliberately leaking distorted information to the media to pursue their own political agenda.
The Christian Democratic Alliance has dared the ANC to ”play open cards with the public on what is at stake with its political interference in sport, especially according to racial lines”.
It was ”ridiculous” to believe that the entire world had to bow to the ANC’s ”eccentric antics”, the CDA said in a statement describing the political interference in sport so soon before the Soccer World Cup as ”highly irresponsible”.
”Fifa is notorious for taking no nonsense from politicians, not even from African countries. Kenya, Greece and the oil rich Iran had been kicked out of Fifa because of political meddling, and countries
such as Brazil and Nigeria backed out just prior to getting the sack.
”It has been pointed out at numerous occasions to Komphela that other international sports bodies, such as the [International Olympic Committee] and those for rugby and cricket do not allow political
interference or racism.”
The CDA said matters had already become complicated with Springbok coach Peter de Villiers throwing his weight behind the ANC and the party’s condoning of the action.
”It is very doubtful whether the ANC would be very happy if other sport people start indicating allegiance to other political parties than the ANC,” it said. – Sapa