The non-payment of winners in Athletics South Africa-sanctioned marathons became a major point of concern when the organisation appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture on 31 March. Members unanimously resolved to recommend to the Minister of Sport, Mr Gayton McKenzie, that the ASA board be dissolved due to its ongoing failures.
Committee member Mr Tebogo Letsie said the non-payment of winning participants in the Mpumalanga and Soweto marathons was unacceptable and needed urgent resolution. “Failure to pay winners makes people angry. Why have they not been paid?” asked Mr Letsie.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) appeared before the committee following a letter from World Athletics indicating that ASA’s performance would be placed under scrutiny. The committee Chairperson, Mr Joe McGluwa, requested that the letter be read into the record during the meeting.
Mr McGluwa said the committee needs to see the original letter, and it must be read into the record. What was your understanding of the governing world athletics body’s letter, Mr McGluwa asked.
In response, ASA indicated that the international governing body would monitor its progress in line with a roadmap outlined in a report submitted last year. The global body had been assured that South African athletics would be managed efficiently. However, identified challenges included weak and inadequate financial controls, the need to strengthen governance structures, ensure independence in decision-making, improve professionalism, and build leadership capacity.
Members expressed concern that the organiser had advertised the Mpumalanga Marathon, despite being the same individual who failed to honour payment commitments to winners the previous year.
Other issues raised by the committee included the absence of ASA board members, the suspension of ASA officials and related charges, and the case of an official who allegedly misappropriated lottery funds but remains in employment.
Mr Letsie said ASA should publicly address the Mpumalanga Marathon matter and open a criminal case against the organiser. He said the marathon should be shut down and the integrity of athletics and the athletes themselves should be protected. He further urged ASA to issue a public statement clarifying its position on the marathon and to revisit the SIU report, which the board had previously chosen to overlook despite commissioning it.
Committee member Mr Marlon Daniels said he found it difficult to accept the presentation, citing inaccuracies. “The problem lies in the lies you are peddling to us. We were told that a new board will be presented and that their first task was the appointment of a CEO. It did not happen,” he said.
Members agreed that the board had failed.
Sibongile Maputi
1 April 2026
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