Embattled Athletics South Africa (ASA) president James Moloi is alleged to be pleading with provincial athletics bodies to stop further correspondence with the federation regarding allegations of his misuse of an ASA credit card.
Sources close to the matter made these allegations; however, ASA told Sunday World that it was not aware if Moloi had made calls to the provincial bodies to stop sending the national athletics body letters demanding his resignation.
This development comes as pressure continues to mount, with at least three formal letters already submitted to ASA acting CEO Terrence Magogodela, demanding Moloi’s immediate resignation.
A source who preferred to remain anonymous said: “It is true that we are receiving calls from the president, asking us not to send more letters to ASA.
“It’s a difficult position because our members are calling for his removal, and we have to act in their interests, not his.”
Another insider added: “The president contacted us, asking that we not escalate the matter. But ASA’s silence on the issue is only making our members more frustrated.
“We don’t have a personal issue with Mr Moloi; we simply want accountability. We are already writing a letter to raise our concerns formally.”
On Friday, the Athletics South Western Districts (SWD) executive board joined the growing chorus, calling on Moloi to step down.
Call for Moloi to step aside
The SWD’s letter reads: “Athletics SWD executive board noticed with great concern the recent engagements on 17 June 2025 between the South African portfolio committee for sport and recreation and Athletics South Africa executive board regarding the allegations of misconduct of the abuse of the credit card used by the president, Mr James Moloi.
“The executive board of Athletics SWD also wants to put on record questions for clarification regarding the 2023 audited financial statements that were sent to Athletics South Africa’s ACEO [acting CEO] and financial manager in 2024; they were never addressed or answered.”
The letter reads further: “The following resolutions were taken by the executive board of Athletics SWD. The current president of ASA, Mr James Moloi, should do the honourable thing and step down as president so that the investigations can run smoothly.
“The ASA executive board should give their full cooperation in this regard. A special general meeting must be called as soon as possible as per the ASA constitution.
“Athletics SWD board sees the above-mentioned as a matter of urgency and cannot be taken lightly.”
In addition to these calls, several senior officials have confirmed to Sunday World that Moloi was asked by the board to step down, but he refused.
“The board requested that Moloi step aside, but he declined. He believes that no one, not even the minister, has the authority to remove him because ASA is affiliated with World Athletics,” a source said.
“In his view, any attempt to remove him could jeopardise ASA’s standing in the global body.”
Correspondence subject to discussion
Moloi was contacted for comment, but his phone went unanswered. By the time of publication, he had not responded to Sunday World’s follow-up text message.
When approached for comment, Magogodela referred Sunday World to ASA media liaison consultant Sifiso Cele.
Cele said: “ASA has … received correspondence from three of its members to date with relation to matters related to the appearance of ASA before the portfolio committee in parliament on 17 June 2025.
“The respective correspondence received is still subject to full discussion and finalisation by the board.
“Matters before the board are not always automatically for public consumption. The present matter is therefore pending before the board.”
Cele added: “The office of the CEO has acknowledged receipt of the individual correspondence from the members. The board must now fully discuss these contents and, in the end, provide the CEO’s office with the steps to follow.
“The acting CEO is also not aware of the alleged calls to members regarding this issue by the president.”
