SASCOC crack whip
South Africa's Olympic governing body SASCOC has suspended Athletics South Africa as a member of SASCOC with immediate effect.
The latest action follows a letter to the organisation on Friday, November 6 from attorneys representing ASA and claiming that SASCOC does not have the authority to implement that decision.
That in itself followed Thursday's suspension of ASA president Leonard Chuene, the Board of ASA and its members over their handling of the Caster Semenya saga, by SASCOC.
In the letter to SASCOC, ASA claim the decisions taken by SASCOC were "unreasonable, procedurally and substantively unfair".
Reacting to the letter the SASCOC executive wish to place on record that:
SASCOC has jurisdiction in the Republic and over its Members, officials and athletes through SASCOC membership and that ASA is a member of SASCOC.
Also, members (including ASA) are subordinate to SASCOC and must comply with the Constitution of SASCOC and any directives issued by SASCOC. Members Constitutions may not be in conflict with the Constitution of SASCOC.
Furthermore, SASCOC, through its Board has the power to oversee, direct, control, administer and, if necessary, manage the activities of its Members.
In the light of the letter received by SASCOC the following decision has been taken:
ASA has... via the letter, indicated that it will not respect the directives and/or resolutions of SASCOC.
SASCOC, accordingly informs that ASA is hereby suspended as a member of SASCOC with immediate effect.
The said suspension is based on the fact that ASA through its officials and office bearers, has engaged in acts of misconduct and misdemeanours in relation to the Caster Semenya affair and has brought SASCOC into disrepute.
Furthermore it is not SASCOC's intention to become involved in a mud-slinging to-and-fro slanging match conducted in the media. SASCOC is following due process and protocol and this statement is where we stand until further notice.
Statement issued by SASCOC, November 6 2009
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