Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie and his department are stepping into the fracas and will take over the sinking Soweto Marathon and press criminal charges against the organisers who have disappeared with the runners’ prize money.
McKenzie and his department will also pay the 2025 winners their prize money. The department wants to see the organisers banned and jailed for “stealing the money of athletes”.
The People’s Race, which has seemingly run out of breath, has been overshadowed by scandals, legal wrangles, poor organisation and management It took place way back on November 29, and after five months, none of the top finishers received a cent. One of the biggest races after the Comrades Marathon and the Two Oceans, it attracts well over 15 000 runners.
The 2025 edition was organised by the Soweto Marathon Non-Profit Company (NPC), which has hoodwinked unsuspecting winners. NPC spokesperson Jabu Mbuli, who was in the forefront before the race, has made a spirited dash and cannot be chased down.
Joseph Seutloali won the men’s race. Mzansi’s Ntsindiso Mphakathi was second while Onalenna Khonkhobe finished third. In the women’s race, Margaret Jepchumba and Elizabeth Mokoloma finished in that order, with Gerda Steyn getting third place on her debut and what seems to be her last after all the shenanigans. The winners for both males and females get R250 000 with the runners-up entitled to R120 000.
African Bank were the headline sponsors, and they have since confirmed that they have transferred all the required funds and prize money to NPC.
McKenzie made the bold declaration exclusively to Sunday World: “We have taken three decisions: as a department, we are taking over the Soweto Marathon; secondly, we are going to pay the winners, this is our country, and athletics is our sport. We are also going to open criminal cases against the organisers who disappeared and stole that money. We cannot have athletes run and they cannot get paid. I am sorting out everything,” he said.
“I am trying to clean up the mess. We cannot lose the Soweto Marathon; it is historic, and it is a race for our people in the townships, and that’s why I am stepping in. We are going to the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) to open cases of fraud against them – we want them banned completely from getting involved in sports management in the future. That’s where we start,” McKenzie added.
NPA national spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago recently told Sunday World that the winners can open a case with the SAPS.
“How it works is that runners must open a case with the SAPS. The police will investigate, and once there is evidence, they will prepare a docket. The NPA will make a decision based on the evidence – then we can be able to act.”
Steyn poured her heart out on MetroFM recently: “Sadly, I have not received anything; there has been no communication. It is not right; it should not be allowed in any sporting event to leave athletes without the prize money. It’s just not a loss of this prize money, it is also a loss of making income at other places.
“I had to decline other races around the world to focus on the Soweto, and then I walked away with nothing. I do not know if we will get paid, and I hope the federation or department of sports can help us,” she added.
The Central Gauteng Athletics has taken the race off its calendar. Hollywoodbets Athletics Club has also withdrawn its runners from the marathon.
- Minister Gayton McKenzie and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture are intervening in the troubled Soweto Marathon.
- The marathon organisers have disappeared with the runners’ prize money.
- The event is described as "sinking," indicating significant organizational and financial issues.
- The Minister's department plans to take over management of the Soweto Marathon.
- Criminal charges will be pressed against the organisers responsible for the prize money disappearance.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie and his department are stepping into the fracas and will take over the sinking Soweto
McKenzie and his department will also pay the 2025 winners their prize money.
Joseph Seutloali won the men’s race. Mzansi’s
African
McKenzie made the bold declaration exclusively to
“I am trying to clean up the mess. We cannot lose the Soweto
NPA national spokesperson Kaizer
“How it works is that runners must open a case with the SAPS.
Steyn poured her heart out on MetroFM recently: “
“I had to decline other races around the world to focus on the Soweto, and then I walked away with nothing. I do not know if we will get paid, and I hope the federation or department of sports can help us,” she added.
