JOHANNESBURG, Jan 5: A South African official who blew the whistle on alleged corruption in the building of a stadium for the 2010 World Cup has been shot dead by unknown gunmen, an official statement said on Monday.

Jimmy Mohlala, a member of the local organising committee for the World Cup, was shot dead late Sunday at his home in the northeastern city of Nelspruit, the Mbombela Local Council Municipality said.

“He was shot by two unknown men who were wearing balaclaves...the gunmen had been lying in wait outside the Mohlala home in an unmarked vehicle,” it said.

He made headlines a year ago with reports that some members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) wanted him sacked for allegedly turning in a colleague over graft claims in the construction of the Mbombela stadium.

His claims sparked an investigation into the allegations.—AFP