PRETORIA: The ‘disappearance’ of £4m destined for 2010 World Cup legacy projects in the Eastern Cape is being investigated by the South African parliament’s sport portfolio committee.

Committee chairman Richard Mdakane, saying the problem was first noted in June last year, added: “There was a problem about the legacy project when we visited Buffalo City and an allegation was made there is R50 million that is unaccounted for.”

The Buffalo City municipality includes East London, Bhisho and King William’s Town.

Mdakane said: “We requested the department of sport in the Eastern Cape to deal with the matter but it has not really come back to us.”

Discussons had been launched with the portfolio committee on safety and security and with sport director-general Alec Meomi.

However Buffalo City spokesman Keith Ngesi denied there was any money missing. He told local media that £1.5m had been invested in upgrading the Buffalo City stadium and that there had been delays in other projects.

Ngesi added: “The metro is aware of the work that has not been done and responsible units are putting together a report, including paid invoices with a portfolio of evidence of work done.”

Politicians in the Cape have expressed more concern than any others in South Africa over the use and/or misuse of legacy funds.

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