SASCOC acts on Semenya saga
South Africa's Olympic governing body, SASCOC, has suspended Athletics SA president Leonard Chuene, the Board of ASA and its members "with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation and further action" over their handling of the Caster Semenya saga.
Furthermore, SASCOC is considering "taking appropriate action against the IAAF for its disregard of Semenya's rights to privacy," following speculation over her gender. Semenya won the women's 800 metre title at the World Championships in Berlin in August, but reports have said that she underwent a gender test and Chuene later admitted to lying about the results.
At a Special Board meeting of SASCOC called for the purpose of considering the report of the SASCOC Legal and Arbitration Commission into the handling of Semenya, the Board resolved unanimously as follows:
To accept the recommendations made by the SASCOC Legal and Arbitration Commission as listed below.
1. Mr Leonard Chuene should be suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation and further action.
2. Mr Kakata Maponyane, Mr Molatelo Malehopo and Ms Phiwe Mlangeni should be suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation and further action.
3. The Board of ASA and its Members should be suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation and further action.
4. Mr Humile Bogatsu should be suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation and further action.
5. SASCOC should consider taking appropriate action against IAAF for its disregard of Ms Semenya's rights to privacy.
SASCOC should ensure that the suspension in respect of Mr Malehopo; Ms Mlangeni and Ms Bogatsu conform to current Labour Law Practices and that any contemplated suspension is with full pay and appropriate benefits due to their status as employees of ASA.
It is being further recommended that:
A decision is taken to appoint SASCOC Board Member Mr Ray Mali as the administrator of Athletics South Africa.
That the Administrator Mr Ray Mali will convene an urgent meeting of the Council of ASA (excluding the suspended individuals) and elect an Interim Board of ASA pending the outcome of the disciplinary enquiry.
That the suspended individuals will appear before a disciplinary enquiry to answer charges of bringing ASA, the sport of athletics, SASCOC and sport in general into disrepute.
Statement issued by SASCOC, November 5 2009
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