The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) has suspended its president, Barry Hendricks, with immediate effect following an investigation into allegations concerning governance and safeguarding.
The decision was taken at a special SASCOC Board meeting held on 7 and 8 September 2026.
Investigation follows anonymous complaints
According to SASCOC, the matter stems from anonymous complaints submitted to the organisation relating to alleged breaches of its Safeguarding Policy and Codes Handbook.
Retired Judge Basheer Waglay was appointed to investigate the complaints. His report found that there was prima facie evidence warranting the referral of the allegations to the SASCOC Judicial Body.
SASCOC said Hendricks’ suspension was a procedural measure and did not amount to a finding that he had committed any wrongdoing.
“The suspension does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing. It is intended to protect the integrity and independence of the process and to enable the matters to be considered thoroughly and impartially by the SASCOC judicial body,” the organisation said in its communication to members.
SASCOC also stressed that Hendricks remains presumed innocent until the matter has been determined through the appropriate process.
Allegations include electioneering and governance concerns
The investigation reportedly followed two anonymous emails containing four allegations against Hendricks.
One allegation concerned claims that Hendricks had campaigned ahead of a SASCOC board by-election and attempted to influence members’ votes.
Other allegations reportedly related to a proposed R10 million refurbishment of the SASCOC auditorium using funding from the Gauteng Gambling Board, a safeguarding concern linked to an overseas multi-sport competition, and claims concerning his alleged consumption of alcohol while representing SASCOC at official events.
SASCOC has not publicly indicated which specific allegations formed the basis of Judge Waglay’s finding of prima facie evidence.
The organisation has said the matter is now sub judice and that it will not provide further public comment while the internal judicial process is under way.
Lwandile Simelane takes over presidential duties
Hendricks has been barred from exercising his presidential functions while the judicial process continues.
First Vice-President Lwandile Simelane will perform the functions of president in the interim.
SASCOC said the arrangement was intended to ensure continuity and organisational stability during the process.
SASCOC is the umbrella organisation responsible for coordinating South Africa’s participation in the Olympic and Paralympic movement, making the suspension of its president a significant development for the country’s sporting administration.
Hendricks has previously faced suspension
This is not the first time Hendricks has been suspended by SASCOC.
In 2020, he was sidelined while serving as acting president in a matter also involving alleged electioneering. The case eventually fell apart, and Hendricks was elected president later that year.
His current suspension comes amid wider governance problems affecting several South African sporting bodies.
Athletics South Africa president James Moloi has been suspended, while Swimming South Africa president Alan Fritz was suspended last month by World Aquatics’ integrity unit. The executive of Karate South Africa has also been suspended by the World Karate Federation.
For now, Hendricks remains suspended pending the outcome of the SASCOC judicial process. The organisation has indicated that further communication will be issued when appropriate.
