An independent disciplinary panel chaired by retired Judge President Basheer Waglay has recommended the permanent removal of suspended Athletics South Africa president James Moloi. The panel found that Moloi misused the federation corporate credit card for personal purchases and received an improper double benefit during his tenure.
The unanimous 55 page report, signed on 6 October 2026, concluded that Moloi treated the federation card as a personal slush card that was available whenever needed provided the expense was labelled business related. Expenditures accepted into evidence included liquor bought at bottle stores, apparel, an electronic device, cash advances, groceries, restaurant meals, personal travel, fuel, and vehicle tyres. Earlier forensic auditing by Forvis Mazars documented 399 transactions exceeding R300,000 between May 2023 and April 2024.
The three member tribunal, which included nominees from the Confederation of African Athletics and SASCOC, found Moloi guilty on two of four charges. On the second count, the panel found he drew an improper dual benefit in April 2024. Moloi received a newly instituted presidential allowance of R18,000 for official expenses while simultaneously charging personal items to the federation credit card. The panel dismissed two other charges because Athletics South Africa lacked a formal credit card policy and administrative staff had authorised card balance top ups. Moloi maintained his innocence throughout the hearing and argued that all expenses served the interests of the federation.
The findings now rest before the board of Athletics South Africa for formal adoption or rejection. The board has not yet announced a date for its decision. The outcome carries substantial weight for domestic sports governance as the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and World Athletics monitor compliance with fiduciary standards.
A sports federation disciplinary panel is an independent tribunal convened to adjudicate allegations of financial misconduct, ethical breaches, or governance failures by elected officials.
Under South African sports jurisprudence, national federations operate under the authority of the National Sport and Recreation Act 110 of 1998 and SASCOC governance charters. Elected executives owe a strict fiduciary duty to protect public grants, lottery allocations, and commercial sponsorships for athlete development.
When federation leadership treats operational bank accounts as personal facilities, the conduct breaches basic corporate governance standards and compromises institutional eligibility for international and domestic funding.
South African track and field athletes face direct funding cuts when corporate sponsors and international bodies freeze grants over federation mismanagement.
Taxpayers and national lottery contributors see public allocations intended for youth development and Olympic preparation absorbed by unverified executive lifestyle spending.
Local sports administrators and running clubs face reputational damage that complicates corporate fundraising and community race organisation.
* Will the Athletics South Africa board vote to adopt the panel recommendation and formally expel James Moloi from all executive structures?
* What internal financial controls and credit card policies will the federation introduce to prevent unmonitored executive expenditure?
* Will the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee or the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture withhold further public grants until governance reforms are certified?