Despite the dismissal of James Moloi, the threat of a ban from World Athletics continues to overshadow South Africa's plans to host the Olympic Games.
The Confederation of Sports Games and the South African Olympic Committee (Sascoc) is preparing to officially announce South Africa's candidate city for hosting the historic Olympic Games in 2036 or 2040 in Johannesburg on Thursday. However, the deepening governance scandal within Athletics South Africa (ASA) jeopardizes the country's international sporting ambitions.
While the national Olympic committee moves forward with a grand Olympic demonstration, athletics—a sport central to any Olympic program—remains entangled in administrative chaos.
Recently, ASA internally decided to suspend President James Moloi following an independent disciplinary investigation led by retired referee Bashir Waglay. The commission found Moloi guilty of serious financial irregularities related to the misuse of the federation's corporate credit card for personal expenses, including vehicle maintenance, clothing, and food costs.
Moloi's immediate and unconditional dismissal was one of the key, non-negotiable demands made by World Athletics, which insisted that the federation react promptly to Waglay's findings.
Nevertheless, his delayed departure did little to ease the tension with the global governing body. World Athletics imposed a strict six-month ultimatum on ASA: implement major governance reforms or face temporary international suspension under Article 13 of the World Athletics constitution.
An international suspension would have catastrophic consequences for South African athletics. Under Article 13 sanctions, South African athletes would be barred from competing in world competitions under the national flag, freezing their participation in Diamond League events, Continental Tour events, and the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
Furthermore, this would undermine national preparation and official qualification pathways for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, depriving elite athletes of international experience and jeopardizing Olympic solidarity funding.
World Athletics recently rejected the ASA constitution draft, ruling that it lacked critical governance standards such as mandatory term limits, independent non-executive directors, and autonomous athlete representation.
Subsequently, World Athletics and the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) made the exceptional decision to appoint Zahle Dlamini, President of Athletics Eswatini and Vice-President of CAA, as an independent observer to monitor the document review process.
According to the global body's mandate, the adoption of a new constitution requires the immediate dissolution of the current ASA board to hold new national elections.
Exacerbating the crisis, ASA's interim leadership also found itself at the center of controversy. Current President John Matan faced criticism for alleged procedural interference during Moloi's disciplinary investigation, as well as growing parliamentary scrutiny.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture previously reviewed forensic accounting reports recommending the suspension of several executive council members and investigated alleged misappropriation of funds from the National Lottery Commission and missing athlete prize money, with legislators supporting calls for the council's dissolution.
As of this week, regarding the World Athletics deadline status and the constitutional change roadmap, ASA stated that it could not provide further developments or official statements.
This administrative deadlock creates a sharp contrast with Sascoc's grand Olympic plans. While sports officials present South Africa's readiness to host the world's premier multi-sport event, the federation governing its core Olympic discipline faces a ticking clock that could lead to its athletes being internationally isolated.
