Athletics SA instructed to remove Moloi, reform constitution in six months or face sanctions - TimesLIVE

World Athletics has instructed Athletics South Africa (ASA) to enforce suspended president James Moloi’s immediate dismissal as per the findings of a disciplinary committee disclosed last week, and gave ASA six months to reform its constitution and hold elections or face global suspension.

A fact-finding mission was led in September by Zakhele Dlamini, president of the Southern African Confederation of Athletics (Saca) and vice-president of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).

A letter signed by World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon, addressed to ASA and its executive board, said the ruling body has received the report from the mission.

“The report identifies serious deficiencies in the governance and functioning of ASA, including divisions within the executive board, difficulties in collective decision-making, uncertainty regarding the authority of elected officials and the validity of certain decisions, and conflicts of interest arising from overlapping responsibilities at national and provincial levels,” the letter stated.

“These difficulties have contributed to institutional instability and are considered to have affected ASA’s ability to discharge its constitutional obligations and responsibilities effectively, including towards its athletes.

World Athletics expects ASA to respect the findings of its independent disciplinary panel and implement its decision dated October 6 2026 without delay.

“World Athletics also acknowledges receipt of the findings of the independent disciplinary panel chaired by retired judge Basheer Waglay, dated October 6 2026, concerning the disciplinary proceedings against ASA president Mr James Moloi. We note the panel unanimously found Mr Moloi guilty of two charges relating to the misuse of ASA funds and determined his removal as pesident and as a member of the executive board was the appropriate sanction.

“World Athletics expects ASA to respect the findings of its independent disciplinary panel and implement its decision dated October 6 2026 without delay.”

World Athletics said it is “particularly concerned these issues reflect structural weaknesses in ASA’s governance framework, rather than isolated incidents or disagreements between individuals, and thus require a comprehensive and lasting solution”.

“Under articles 9 and 17 of the World Athletics constitution, member federations are required to comply with their obligations under the constitution and applicable rules and regulations. Furthermore, article 12 provides for World Athletics to take steps to address governance difficulties within a member federation, including, where appropriate, through the involvement of the relevant area association.

“Following consideration of the Saca president’s report and a review of ASA’s existing and proposed constitutional arrangements, World Athletics and CAA consider that a comprehensive revision of ASA’s constitution is necessary to restore effective, transparent and accountable governance.”

World Athletics noted the draft constitution “recently prepared by ASA introduces several improvements”, but stressed it “does not yet adequately address certain fundamental governance principles”.

World Athletics said such principles “are essential to ensuring ASA’s governance arrangements serve the interests of the federation and its members as a whole, and the sport of athletics in South Africa, rather than those of individual office holders”.

“World Athletics and CAA have therefore established a roadmap requiring ASA to finalise and formally adopt a revised constitution within six months of the date of this letter. ASA is expected to work closely with World Athletics and CAA throughout this process, submit the revised constitutional provisions for review before adoption, and ensure the ASA council is convened within the prescribed timeframe to consider and vote on the proposed amendments.

“Within one month of this letter, ASA must provide World Athletics and CAA with a detailed timetable for the constitutional revision and adoption process. Following the adoption of the new constitution, fresh elections must be organised in accordance with its provisions, within a further period of three months.”

World Athletics and CAA nominated Dlamini “as an independent observer to the adoption of the new ASA constitution and fresh elections”.

“World Athletics recognises the adoption of constitutional amendments ultimately rests with ASA’s council. However, this responsibility must be exercised in the best interests of South African athletics.”

It made clear “failure to adopt a satisfactory revised ASA constitution within the prescribed six-month period, or any deliberate obstruction of the agreed roadmap, would result in the matter being referred to the World Athletics council for consideration of sanctions under article 13 of World Athletics’ constitution”.