‘We Don’t Pay To Host’: City Manager Slams MTN8 Bribery Claims
Durban City Manager Musa Mbhele has dismissed allegations that the municipality bribed officials to host cup finals at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The venue is set to host the MTN8 (Wafa Wafa) Cup final on 10 October for the 10th time since 2010.
Moses Mabhida Stadium awarded the hosting rights on Monday for the clash between Orlando Pirates and their bitter rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns. The match will be a repeat of the 2023/24 season finale, which Pirates won on penalties.
This marks the 10th time the stadium will host the MTN8 final since becoming a domestic football venue after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. While it has hosted more cup finals than any other venue during this period, it surprisingly did not host a single final last year.
Mbhele and eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba, alongside Vusi Mazibuko (Executive Director of Community Services), held an impromptu press conference at the stadium on Tuesday to clarify the matter.
“We are not—and I may sound arrogant, but it is the only way I can express it—so desperate to boost tourism that we would resort to unethical actions like that,” said Mbhele.
“We are one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country, and people love Durban. Under the leadership of the Mayor, we are ensuring that we strengthen our brand. Having a major event like the one on 5 October adds momentum and encourages people to visit.”
He added: “We do not pay to host these matches. People choose Durban because of the electric atmosphere here. We are the destination of choice, and MTN knows their brand will thrive when marketing here. We also boast one of the largest metro capacities for hotel accommodation and beaches.”
Past MTN8 Finals at Moses Mabhida Stadium
- 2010/11: Orlando Pirates 1–1 Moroka Swallows (Pirates won 4–2 on penalties)
- 2013/14: Orlando Pirates 1–1 Platinum Stars (Stars won 3–1 on penalties)
- 2014/15: Kaizer Chiefs 1–0 Orlando Pirates
- 2017/18: Cape Town City 1–1 SuperSport United (SuperSport won 4–2 on penalties)
- 2018/19: SuperSport United 0–0 Cape Town City (City won 4–1 on penalties)
- 2020/21: Bloemfontein Celtic 1–2 Orlando Pirates
- 2021/22: Cape Town City 1–1 Mamelodi Sundowns (Sundowns won 3–2 on penalties)
- 2022/23: Orlando Pirates 1–0 AmaZulu
- 2023/24: Orlando Pirates 0–0 Mamelodi Sundowns (Pirates won 3–1 on penalties)
- 2024/25: Orlando Pirates 3–1 Stellenbosch FC
