Secrecy over Cup tenders ends

Johannesburg - The FIFA Local Organising Committee (LOC) must release all tender documents relating to the World Cup to the Mail and Guardian (M&G) newspaper, the South Gauteng High Court ruled, the paper reported.

Acting judge Les Morison ruled on Tuesday afternoon the LOC must hand over all tender documents relating to contracts awarded for the tournament and the Confederations Cup to the paper in 30 days.

The paper launched an application to obtain the documents after the LOC refused to release them. The documents included the names of companies to which contracts were given, as well as the value of the tenders.

The LOC contended it is a private body and should not have to comply with the requirements of transparency laid down in public procurement legislation, the paper reported on its website.

However, Morison said that the M&G and the public had no way to know if there was any corruption with the awarding of these tenders if the LOC did not provide them with the tender documents.

- Sapa