‘TOXIC’ ENVIRONMENT AT SASCOC

Sports umbrella body dysfunctional, coaching head tells inquiry

THE SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) was dysfunctional‚ the ministerial committee of inquiry into governance issues at the umbrella body heard yesterday

Desiree Vardhan‚ in charge of coaching at Sascoc‚ told the inquiry the environment at work was “very toxic and threatening” and innovation was shunned.

She also testified she had been shocked to discover in 2016 that her budget for the year was less than R300 000‚ but the government had given Sascoc R2.4-million specifically for coaching.

Vardhan said she had been told this by Armand Meintjies‚ who had worked in the finance department at the time before quitting.

She also spoke about how her laptop had been hacked at work and she had requested senior managers to assist her with protection.

Asked if she had received a reply‚ Vardhan responded: “No‚ sir.”

Because of strict protocol at Sascoc‚ she had raised the matter only with her line manager‚ Ezera Tshabangu, as well as acting executive Patience Shikwambana.

“We should invite Ms Tshabangu to tell us why she’s done nothing‚” retired judge Ralph Zulman said.

He is being assisted by veteran cricket administrator Dr Ali Bacher and labour law expert Shamima Gaibie.

Zulman asked if Vardhan still felt the same way as when she submitted her written submission to the committee.

“You say Sascoc is dysfunctional and it hinders your work,” he said.

She responded: “I would have stood by this with regards to those dismissed officials.

“And there [is] evidence I have where certain staff members that were employed in sports coaching were given favours so they could create a dysfunctional environment for me.

“They were promoted or given international trips.”

Zulman told her: “You’re not the first to tell us that Sascoc is dysfunctional.

“That’s the general impression I’ve got so far – we’ve got to hear the other side.”

Among those who testified on the opening day was former Athletics SA board member Laraine Lane‚ who said Sascoc board member Hajera Kajee had been on the sports distribution agency for lottery funds.

She also claimed that Sascoc president Gideon Sam’s name was on the letterhead of a marketing company‚ Insight‚ alternatively known as Accelerate.

Bacher asked her to clarify both these points‚ suggesting this was not right, if true.

Lane was on the ASA board in 2009 when the federation was put into administration by Sascoc‚ which also suspended several board members and office bearers.

She took Sascoc to court to fight her suspension‚ which she won‚ but when the body appealed‚ she could not afford to fight further and ultimately lost by default.

She said Sascoc spent R1.5-million on legal costs.

“The administration of Sascoc are bullies. I don’t believe they have any respect for any federation,” she said.