The final report on the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has blown wide open alleged maladministration at the country’s umbrella sports body.
The ministerial inquiry, headed by retired Judge Ralph Zulman, found that factionalism had handicapped the performance of the SASCOC board – and hence it failed in its sole mandate of working in the interest of sport.
Briefing the media in Pretoria, Sports Minister Thokozile Xasa, outlined the recommendations that emerged from the inquiry – which found SASCOC to be dysfunctional.
“The interim measures need to be taken by the current board; the process for the revision of all policies and procedures must be determined. Travel benefits and allowances for the president, members of the board and the COO should be discussed. Administrative matters related to the operations of the board should be determined on an urgent basis. SASCOC must appoint a national colours board in terms of the act, constitution and internal regulations for the purpose of determining any and all issues relevant to the awarding of national colours to athletes.”
SASCOC, has been told to take immediate action to fix its structures.
But no member of the current administration has been found responsible for an organisation that is described as dysfunctional, and in which millions of rands has been wasted.
The findings are contained in the report of the Zulman Inquiry into lack of governance and financial irregularities at SASCOC.
The report says a new structure should consist of an independent board, and a management team that must relinquish all links with other sporting structures.
One of the members of the inquiry panel was former cricket boss and captain, Ali Bacher.
“We don’t want to categorise any individual but I think what it’s about, it’s about the way forward, because sport in this country is very important to all its people – black, white, young old. Doesn’t matter where you come from, we are a sport loving voluntary. And I think what we’ve tried to create is in essence good corporate governance, openness, accountability, and fair processes. That’s what it’s about.”
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