Philip October rejects DA claims over Cricket World Cup appointment

Philip Johannes October rejected allegations by DA Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers, calling them a politically motivated smear campaign. Appointed in August 2025 as a non-executive director of the 2027 Cricket World Cup Local Organising Committee, October says his appointment was lawful and merit-based. Simmers alleges October is linked to the Patriotic Alliance and accuses the party of political appointments, raising questions amid the Ticketpro controversy and the role of Minister Gayton McKenzie. An official Hawks statement records that October and his company, Xiphos Security Services, were convicted in December 2024 on 146 counts involving fraud and tax-related offences.