Nawaal Deane
In a circus of events, Athletics South Africa (ASA) is embroiled in allegations of corruption, but documents handed to the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Ngconde Balfour, this week show only a paltry sum in comparison to original claims that R9-million is allegedly unaccounted for in the ASA account.
The documents were handed over on Monday by Democratic Alliance national sport representative Donald Lee, who says that the evidence will help the minister rid athletics of any “rotten apples”.
In the past two weeks there has been an uproar over claims that ASA may not have enough money to send a South African team to the 8th IAAF World Championship in Athletics in Canada.
The allegations of financial irregularities sparked off repeated appeals by the minister that the public and media come forward with substantive evidence to warrant a forensic audit.
Lee responded by handing over what he termed “only some” of the evidence in his possession. Craig Morkel, DA deputy sport representative, said: “We have a patriotic duty to only expose prima facie allegations after we have verified their validity with more than one source.
“Some of the information will therefore be withheld until we have key witnesses that would warrant and assist a forensic investigation.”
However, Lee’s documents implicate the two most senior ASA officials CEO Banele Sindani and president Leonard Chuene in the corruption scandal.
The two deposit slips indicate that an amount of R27 000 was paid into Sindani’s account. One of the slips show an ASA cheque of R10 000 deposited into the account.
Sindani refused to comment on the reason an ASA cheque would be paid into his personal account, saying: “We regret to inform you that we will for now remain answerable only to the minister regarding this matter and for this reason we will not answer any media questions on this matter, because this only helps to fuel speculation.”
The second deposit slip brings Bernard Rose, former CEO of ASA, under suspicion. The deposit slip shows that a cheque for R17 000 from Rose’s company, Blue Chip, was deposited into Sindani’s account.
When asked to explain the reason for the cheque to Sindani, Rose says: “The minister called for the information from all parties and he will make public his findings once he has reviewed the so-called dossier in his possession. I respect the process that has been agreed upon between the minister and ASA.”
Rose retired as ASA CEO two years ago, but has retained a consultancy role with the organisation. In 1993, after a judicial inquiry, Judge Edwin King appointed Rose to sort out ASA’s financial mess.
Rose was responsible for a number of long-term sponsorship deals, including a deal with Absa.
Lee also confirmed that he has documents that suggest that a sum of $10 000 given to Chuene cannot be accounted for.
Whether this dossier will spark an investigation is yet to be decided. “My decision to institute a financial audit of ASA will be informed by the recommendations of legal advisers and officials in my department,” says Balfour, who adds that an announcement will be made in a few days.
“It is troubling to hear reports and speculation of concerted efforts by certain sports officials to isolate and discredit those who have decided to come forward and blow the whistle on alleged corruption in ASA,” says Lee.
The DA claims that it was approached by the management of Central Gauteng Athletics in a meeting last month with a number of allegations against the ASA.
The ASA, according to Sindani, is glad that Lee has responded positively to Balfour’s call. “ASA have full confidence in the minister and we [the ASA] will fully cooperate with the minister until this whole matter reaches final conclusion,” he says.
But Balfour reiterates that if any proof of corruption and maladministration is uncovered, immediate steps will be taken against perpetrators. “I wish to emphasise that at no time have I dismissed any allegations against any individual and challenge anyone to prove this to the contrary.”
Additional reporting by Martin Gillingham