A proposed sponsorship deal between South African lawmakers and Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur has been canceled after details were leaked to the media and caused a public uproar.
The proposed three-year deal worth 900 million South African rand ($52.5 million; £42.5 million) had received conditional approval from the nation’s official tourism board.
However, detractors claimed that the money could be used more effectively in a nation where there are frequent power outages, water shortages, and high unemployment.
On Tuesday, the parliament’s tourism committee called for the deal to be stopped immediately.
This was after Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu had told it that she had no knowledge of the proposed deal.
“This deal ends here, today, now. because there is everything wrong with the deal itself. There must be an investigation on this matter with immediate effect,” committee chairperson Thandi Mahambehlala said.
It was also resolved that the board’s acting chief financial officer be removed from the position immediately over an alleged conflict of interest and irregular appointment.