Government says Lesufi's World Cup trip was privately funded

THE Gauteng provincial government has clarified that Premier Panyaza Lesufi accepted only stadium access tickets from Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie for the match between Bafana Bafana and Mexico of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

The clarification follows an uproar on social media after videos of Lesufi in Mexico began circulating online.

South Africa played its opening match of the tournament, which also served as the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, against Mexico on Thursday, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The team's second Group Stage fixture is scheduled for June 18, 2026 against Czechia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States.

The video posted by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture sparked criticism from social media users, many of whom claimed taxpayers funded Lesufi's trip.

“Politicians are eating our tax money instead of fixing our problems,” @MCc59189701 wrote on X.

“More wasted tax payer money,” said @Andre_JHB_ZA.

Others questioned why he was in Mexico.

“We paid for this thug to go to Mexico who put JHB residents to suffering,” said @ZizweNgwabe2015.