'We don't recognise these letters' - Concerned Group reject ASA suspension and repeat calls for heads to roll

Defiant and unbowed, the concerned group of athletes, coaches and administrators has hit back at Athletics South Africa (ASA) after being served with suspension letters, vowing not to recognise the sanctions and warning that unless ASA retracts them, their next move "...wont be a press conference." The move comes after the group's Dorah Mgwevu, Soweto Marathon Trust's Thulani Sibisi, Ernest Moikangoe, Keneliwe Sesing and former Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Board Member Mfuneko Joko were suspended for publicly demanding, during a fiery July 29 press conference, that ASA President James Moloi and his board step down after it was revealed in parliament that Moloi had used the ASA credit card to purchase alcohol at taverns.

"We don't recognise these letters. ASA must withdraw them, failing which we will take the next step. This time around, it won't be a press conference. We are asking for a proper engagement and serious accountability," said Joko at the group's second press briefing which took place in Milpark yesterday (August 14).

Road running legends Jerry Modiga, Israel Morake joined Keneilwe Sesing, Mfuneko Joko and Dorah Mgwevu at a press conference on August 14 at Garden Court in Milpark. Photo Credit: Lebogang Pita.

"These suspensions are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that our members adhere to the rules and regulations governing the sport," ASA said in a statement. But Joko dismissed that argument saying they had every right to speak out after parliament exposed Moloi's misuse of ASA funds.

"Our move didn't come out of nowhere. We took this position after hearing and seeing what was presented in parliament. Being served with these letters is appalling. We are responding and taking a position on a matter that's in the public domain. It has also been deliberated upon by the sports minister and parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA)."

The coalition, led by Mgwevu who led also former ASA President Aleck Skhosana's failed election campaign in May, repeated its calls for Moloi and ASA acting CEO Terrence Magogodela to resign.

Mfuneko Joko and Dorah Mgwevu reiterated their call for ASA President James Moloi to resign. Photo Credit: Lebogang Pita.

"We still demand Moloi and Magogodela to step aside to allow the investigation (into Moloi's alleged mismanagement of funds) to unfold without interference. The allegations and admissions are publicly known. They were supposed to have been suspended by the ASA board but the board is silent," said Mgwevu.

"We know we had about six provinces which wrote to ASA demanding the President to step aside. ASA never responded to them. So, we've taken it upon ourselves as coaches, administrators, athletes and legends to ask Moloi and Magogodela to step aside so that athletics could be placed under administration. We also request World Athletics to come on board to listen to our concerns because at the moment, it's been three months since it was revealed that ASA is not well administered. The ASA board and council are mum about what's taking place," added the former ASA board member Mngwevu.

ASA President James Moloi is under fire after parliament revealed that he has used the federation's credit card to buy alcohol at taverns. Photo Credit: Tumelo Mabua.

At the same time, Joko said the alleged governance and administration issues within ASA had tainted the sport, resulting in clubs being unable to access funding.

"We are suffering on the ground. We can't access funding. Athletics is tainted and no one wants to associate with the sport. We learnt in parliament that ASA hasn't received funding from the National Lottery, which is its biggest funder, for the past three years. The sport is suffering because of individual ambitions. The President and Acting CEO must recuse themselves in the interest of the sport and allow the process to be dealt with without interference."