As with many 'hallmark events' throughout the world,^[40] the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been connected to evictions^[41][42] which many claim are meant to 'beautify the city', impress visiting tourists, and hide shackdwellers. On 14 May 2009, Durban-based shack-dwellers took the KwaZulu-Natal government to court over their controversial Elimination and Prevention of Re-Emergence of Slums Act, meant to eliminate slums in South Africa and put homeless shackdwellers in transit camps in time for the 2010 World Cup.^[43][44] They have gained a lot of publicity for their efforts even in the international media.^[45][46][47]

A Mbombela municipality administrator Jimmy Mohlala was killed after becoming a whistleblower on a land deal which saw 6,000 acres of land sold for one rand.^[48]

The most prominent controversy surrounding preparations for the World Cup is the N2 Gateway housing project in Cape Town, which plans to remove over 20,000 residents from Joe Slovo Informal Settlement along the busy N2 Freeway and build rental flats and bond houses in its place in time for the 2010 World Cup.^[49] The residents would be moved to the poverty stricken Delft township on the outskirts of the city and out of sight from the N2 Freeway.^[50][51][52]

In July 2009, South Africa was hit with rolling protests by poor communities who demanded access to basic services, jobs, adequate housing and the democratisation of service delivery. These protests have been linked to the World Cup as protesters complain that public funds are being diverted away from social issues to build stadiums and upgrade airports.^{[53] [54]}

Tournament organiser Danny Jordaan dismissed concerns that the terrorist attack on the Togo national team which took place in Angola in January 2010, had any relevance to the security arrangements for the World Cup.^[55]