Judge launches Sascoc probe

Prosecutions possible as Sascoc ministerial probe kicks off at Ellis Park with stringent terms of reference

● The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) will have to deal with stringent terms of reference ahead of the ministerial committee of inquiry that starts at Ellis Park tomorrow after a delay in finding a suitable venue.

The inquiry has been set up to investigate maladministration and malpractice within the Olympic organising body. Sascoc is also without a chief executive officer after the former incumbent Tubby Reddy was fired from the position last month after a disciplinary hearing.

The inquiry will be led by retired Judge Ralph Zulman, who said there was a possibility of criminal prosecutions and forensic audits if the findings point them in that direction and if Sport and Recreation minister Thembelani “Thulas” Nxesi deems it necessary. Sport and Recreation ministry adviser Mickey Modisane also said the committee has the powers to subpoena Sascoc members who could be needed to appear in the inquiry.

Zulman said he hoped the inquiry will go on for six weeks while the 14-point terms of reference make it clear in terms of the required outcomes of the inquiry.

Terms of reference

Investigate and report to the Minister of Sport and Recreation on the exact reasons which resulted in Sascoc becoming dysfunctional and failing to execute its fiduciary responsibilities in accordance with its constitution and to govern and administer its domain and mandate desirably.

Investigate and report on any noncompliance by the Sascoc Board or any other person or body with the provisions of the Sascoc constitution or any other applicable laws that could have caused or contributed to Sascoc being dysfunctional or failing to execute its fiduciary responsibilities.

Investigate and report on serious or disruptive divisions between factions of the membership of Sascoc and its staff and the reasons which have caused it.

Inquire into, assess and report on the effectiveness and efficiency of the current administration of Sascoc and in particular identify all aspects of Sascoc’s current administrative system which encourages illegal practices or shortcomings relative to its governance and administration in terms of its constitution.

Inquire into and report on the degree of compliance by Sascoc and its board members and staff, among others, with its constitution and applicable laws especially in so far as good corporate governance is concerned.

Zulman said Reddy's expulsion from Sascoc will not be the focal point of the inquiry.

Reddy was fired from his position last month after a disciplinary hearing led by advocate Anton Myburgh in December last year found him guilty.

Reddy’s senior colleagues, Jean Kelly and Vinesh Maharaj, were also dismissed from Sascoc in the aftermath of the disciplinary hearing.

Reddy was suspended from the Olympic committee in June after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced the month before.

Zulman said there were a number of complaints Sascoc federations have lodged and they will have an opportunity to air their grievances.

“We’ll only know on Monday which federations have serious complaints against Sascoc. I don't know how many are going to pitch up but we've invited them all.

“Some of them have already sent in memorandums of what they want to say, what they don’t like, but most of them relate to the running of Sascoc’s affairs. There are some that have complained that there's been corruption. Mr Reddy has been invited to appear and he will appear,” Zulman said.