Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan asked government officials in May not to overspend on tickets for the tournament as he tries to control costs at state firms.
“While there may be legitimate reasons for buying tickets to advance the business case of public enterprises and government departments, concern has been raised as to what action may be taken should the Auditor-General deem this expenditure wasteful,” read a statement from the finance ministry.
“The Minister reiterates his call for civil servants to live up to their moral contract with citizens and for restraint and discernment to be exercised in the use of public funds.”
Labour unions say the ticket spending proves that state companies can afford pay rises at twice the inflation rate that they have been demanding in wage renegotiations.
