Athletics South Africa President on the Brink of Suspension Amid Credit Card Controversy

Athletics South Africa (ASA) has announced plans to suspend its President, James Moloi, after a 10-hour closed ASA Board meeting held on Saturday, October 25, at the OR Tambo Garden Court Hotel in Isando, Kempton Park.

James Moloi has been formally served with a letter requesting him to provide reasons why he should not face suspension.

Failure to respond or provide adequate justification could result in his suspension taking immediate effect. The lengthy meeting was convened to consider a detailed forensic report procured by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the country’s Olympic governing body.

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The report followed revelations made before the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts, and Culture concerning Moloi’s use of an ASA-issued credit card. The report, which investigated alleged irregularities, formed the basis of the Board’s deliberations.

After extensive discussions, the ASA Board decided to accept the recommendations contained in the SASCOC report.

The Board resolved to suspend James Moloi indefinitely, while giving him the opportunity to present reasons why the suspension should not be enacted.

In addition, the ASA Disciplinary Committee has been tasked with investigating whether other officials, including the Acting Chief Executive Officer and Finance Manager, should face disciplinary proceedings concerning their roles in the use of the credit card.

ASA has formally notified James Moloi of the proposed suspension and requested that he submit substantial reasons to contest it.

Should he fail to provide a satisfactory response, the suspension will be confirmed. In anticipation of Moloi’s potential suspension, the Board has appointed John Mathane, ASA Deputy President, as Acting President with immediate effect.

“ASA has formally notified Moloi in writing of his suspension and has requested him to show cause why the suspension should not be confirmed, binding, or made permanent,” a statement to the public.

“In the absence of Moloi not providing any substantial reasons why he should not be suspended, and in the event of his suspension, the ASA Board has appointed John Mathane, the ASA Deputy President, as the Acting President of Athletics South Africa with immediate effect after the suspension takes effect.”

The decision marks a significant development in South African athletics, highlighting the governing body’s efforts to enforce transparency and accountability within its leadership ranks.

James Moloi’s suspension, if confirmed, will not only remove him from the presidency temporarily but could also trigger wider disciplinary investigations within ASA.

As ASA prepares for the transition, all eyes will be on how the organisation manages the leadership change and the impact on South African athletics in the coming months.