The Democratic Alliance Youth is shocked at Athletics South Africa's (ASA) decision not to dismiss its disgraced boss Leonard Chuene. Likewise, those groups that have come to Chuene's defence, such as the ANC Youth League, must be condemned in the strongest terms for providing support to the man responsible for trading Caster Semenya's privacy and dignity for a gold medal.

Although a range of groups and individuals, including SASCOC and the Deputy Sports Minister, have identified the seriousness of Chuene's actions, ASA and the ANCYL both seem to be in complete denial.

Both are fixated on conspiracy theories - neither seem to understand that even if the IAAF's actions were callous, that fact alone does not exclude local officials from sharing the blame. And, in respect of Chuene's admissions, both groups seem to be in denial. They are, at best, blindly ignorant of the facts; or, possibly, they are just acting to protect their political friends, and ignoring the wishes of the South African people.

The DA Youth agrees with the Shadow Minister of Sport that the need for Chuene to go is a no-brainer. We hope to see Chuene and the rest of the ASA hierarchy appear before the parliamentary portfolio committee on sports and recreation as soon as possible.

Statement issued by Aimee Franklin, MP, Democratic Alliance national youth director, September 25 2009

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter