Athletics South Africa (ASA) president James Moloi recently disclosed that he used ASA credit cards at several shebeens, prompting the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) and Kwa-Zulu Natal Athletics (KZNA) board to call for heads to roll.
Moloi and ASA acting CEO Terrence Magogodela have been accused of financial misconduct, and the KZNA board has demanded that Moloi resign.
The accusations against the pair include using the organisation’s credit cards for personal purchases, including alcohol at local taverns.
Meetings with business associates
Last week, the portfolio committee on sport, arts, and culture heard about Moloi’s spending on the organisation’s credit card.
Moloi defended himself, though, by claiming that he accommodated prospective business associates who would rather meet in taverns.
Sunday World can now disclose that Moloi has been formally urged to resign from his position by both KZNA and the CGA board in a letter to ASA.
In a letter addressed to Magogodela, the KZNA wrote: “KwaZulu-Natal Athletics board has noted with concern the two appearances of the ASA board in front of the sport, arts, and culture portfolio committee.
“Following ASA’s second engagement on the 17th of June 2025 with said parliamentary committee, the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics executive is very concerned with the seriousness of the allegations that have surfaced regarding the use/abuse of the ASA credit card and any other benefits that he receives, which have been laid squarely at the door of the president, Mr James Moloi.
“While the KZNA board believes in the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, the KZNA board is of the strong view that the president should relinquish his office temporarily pending the finalisation of any or all investigations to be conducted by independent persons on the matter of ‘his abuse’ of the ASA credit card and other benefits.”
Moloi asked to voluntarily step aside
The KZNA board further resolved that “Moloi voluntarily excuse himself from the ASA executive board and the current vice-president, Mr John Mathane, be the acting ASA president in the interim until such time that the investigation and any subsequent actions have been completed and the president is cleared.
“Should he fail to voluntarily step aside, the KZNA board will call on the board of ASA to make the decision.
“The current chairperson of the finance committee, Mr Jakes Jacobs, is to also excuse himself from the ASA executive board and finance committee until such time that the investigation and any subsequent actions have been completed and he is cleared.
“Should he fail to voluntarily step aside, the KZNA board will call on the board of ASA to make the decision.
“The ASA board is called upon to urgently convene an ASA special general meeting immediately [within the shortest constitutionally allowed period] in line with the constitutional requirements of the ASA constitution to reconsider the financial statements of the federation from the 2021 financial year to the recently presented 2024 financials.
“Such a special general meeting will be to consider any and all related matters regarding the financial position of ASA.
“The KwaZulu-Natal Athletics board did not arrive lightly at these resolutions and would therefore require the ASA board to deal with these matters expeditiously.”
CGA wants detailed report
CGA’s letter reads as follows: “The board humbly requests that the ASA office provide a detailed report of the issues raised by the committee so that enquiries on the matter through the provincial office can be better handled and responded to.
“Further to the above request, the board would suggest that the president consider the possibility of him not playing a role in the investigation to protect himself from possible allegations and accusations that he may interfere with the process, in case such an investigation goes ahead.”
When approached for comment, Magogodela told Sunday World that they received the letters and were dealing with the issue. “We are attending to the matter,” said Magogodela.
Steven Khanyile, the president of CGA, confirmed to Sunday World that ASA has acknowledged their letter.
“ASA has acknowledged our letter, but we haven’t received a full report,” said Khanyile.
