The Gauteng province spent R4-million on 4613 World Cup tickets — mostly for deserving residents, premier Nomvula Mokonyane said on Wednesday.

Ten department of science and technology employees were rewarded with "free" tickets to the World Cup quarterfinals in Port Elizabeth last Friday.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will soon meet the Auditor General to discuss World Cup ticket purchases of R130-million by state entities.

Finance minister and auditor general are to investigate World Cup ticket purchases by government agencies amid concerns over "wasteful expenditure".

Minister in the National Planning Commission Trevor Manuel has come out in defence of parastatals who splurged millions on Soccer World Cup tickets.

Local companies, including petrochemicals giant, Sasol, have lost more than R6,5-million in World Cup ticketing scams.