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You know how bad that looks and that we’re having this discussion? Some athletes pay for themselves and then they hear that some in the management that are supposed to looking after them, buy stuff for themselves in tarvens. - Sports, Arts and Culture minister, Gayton Mackenzie.

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Sizwe sama Yende

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Athletics SA president James Moloi allegedly used the federation’s credit card to buy booze and pay at a women's clothing shop, Foschini.

This revelation before the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture on Tuesday has prompted Minister Gayton Mackenzie to make an undertaking to commission a forensic investigation into the financial affairs of Athletics SA.

 The credit card’s statement was tabled before the committee's sitting.

Committee member Matsholo Mmolotsane questioned why the credit card was used even when the federation’s offices were closed for December holidays.

“The explanation given does not hold water. You can’t meet someone at a bottlestore and say it was a business meeting,” Mmolotsane said.

“I want to recommend that between DSAC (Department of Sports, Arts and Culture) and SASCOC, one must conduct a forensic audit from 2021 on credit cards used by the president and staff. That report must focus over all finances of Athletics SA,” she said.

The credit card’s statement indicated that from January 05 to January 07 2024, there were six purchases at the OR Tambo International Airport totalling R7 422.

There is also a transaction of R9 320 at Cofi in Gqeberha on March 6 2024. On 26 November 2024, three purchases were made at Magic Bottle Store (R960) and Ellis Park Bottle Store (R436 and R330).

An amount of R168 was used again on December 7 at Ellis Park Bottle Store. 

On November 28 2023 two payments of R603 and R318 were made at Falcon Spur and Nandos.

On November 29 2023, a payment of R1 493 was made at Pata Pata African restaurant. Some transactions, the committee heard, were made at taverns and lounges.

 In response, Moloi said that as president of Athletics SA, he met with different people especially businesspeople at different venues of their choice.

“They can say can let's meet at such and such a place. When you invite a person, you have to pay. You meet with clients and that client can say can you buy me something so that we can meet somewhere,” Moloi said.

When Mmolotsane asked Moloi about numerous transactions at OR Tambo International Airport, he said: “People will say let’s meet at OR Tambo, I’m coming from overseas.”

McKenzie was not pleased that Moloi used the credit card at taverns.

“I will have a full forensic audit [commissioned] with immediate effect. I’ve raised millions for you [Athletics SA] and now I hear these things of taverns. You can’t have a meeting at a tavern, the music is so loud. Who can have a meeting in a tavern where people are dancing?” McKenzie said.

He said that these allegations dented the image of the federationand it could not send athletes to participate in Peru and those who went raised their own funds.  

“You know how bad that looks and that we’re having this discussion? Some athletes pay for themselves and then they hear that some in the management that are supposed to be looking after them, buy stuff for themselves in tarvens,” McKenzie said.

Meanwhile, Athletics SA reported that criminal charges have been laid against the Mpumalanga Marathon organizer, Caleb Lekhuleni, a former employee of the National Lottery Comission.

Lekhuleni failed to pay the winners after the event last year. Ethiopian Tadu Nare and Jobo Khatoane won the women and males marathon and each were promised R1 million.

Athletics SA has since suspended the event.