Athletics South Africa (ASA) has removed James Moloi as president with immediate effect, five days after World Athletics instructed the national governing body to implement his dismissal without delay.
The decision follows an independent disciplinary panel’s findings that Moloi was guilty of two charges relating to the misuse of ASA funds. The panel recommended that he be removed as president and as a member of the federation’s executive board.
World Athletics demands immediate action
World Athletics issued its directive in a letter to ASA after reviewing the findings of the disciplinary panel chaired by retired judge Basheer Waglay, dated October 6, 2026.
The global governing body said it expected ASA to respect the panel’s decision and implement the recommended sanction against Moloi.
The directive followed a fact-finding mission led by Zakhele Dlamini, president of the Southern African Confederation of Athletics and vice-president of the Confederation of African Athletics, which identified serious governance concerns within ASA.
World Athletics raised concerns about divisions within the executive board, difficulties with collective decision-making, uncertainty over the authority of elected officials and potential conflicts of interest involving national and provincial responsibilities.
Credit card investigation led to disciplinary action
Moloi’s removal follows an investigation into his use of an ASA corporate credit card between May 2023 and April 2024.
A forensic investigation commissioned by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) found that the card had been used 399 times during the period, with the expenditure exceeding R300,000.
The disciplinary panel found Moloi guilty on two of four charges, including unauthorised or inadequately substantiated expenditure and receiving a presidential allowance while continuing to use the corporate card.
The panel described the transactions it examined as “personal, unauthorised or unsubstantiated”.
Moloi denied the charges. He also repaid R24,841.95 spent on the card in April 2024, according to the disciplinary findings.
ASA given six months to reform
Beyond Moloi’s removal, World Athletics has given ASA six months to revise and formally adopt a new constitution, warning that failure to comply could result in sanctions, including a possible suspension from international athletics.
The proposed reforms are intended to strengthen accountability and transparency, clarify the powers of elected officials, address conflicts of interest and improve financial oversight.
ASA must also provide World Athletics and the Confederation of African Athletics with a detailed timetable for the constitutional revision within one month of the directive. Fresh elections must be held within three months after the revised constitution is adopted.
Zakhele Dlamini has been appointed as an independent observer to oversee the constitutional process and the new elections.
The removal marks a significant development in the governance crisis facing South African athletics, with the federation now under pressure to implement the required reforms and avoid international sanctions that could affect the country’s participation in global competitions.
