Johannesburg – Athletics SA administrator Zola Majavu called on Thursday for an end to the ongoing court action against the federation, after it was again served with court papers by suspended president James Evans.
“I am getting sick and tired of this. I have maintained a dignified silence on this issue, preferring to focus on the business of athletics,” Majavu said.
“I believe now the time has come for some people to be told where to get off, and get off they must.
“This is a national asset and not a personal fiefdom of anybody or a clique of persons who do not have the interest of athletics at heart.”
Evans brought a challenge in the High Court in Pretoria against the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee's (Sascoc) suspension of him and the entire ASA board in April. However, he lost the case with costs, and it was revealed last week that he would appeal.
“This morning, again, we received the same court application, this time out of the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court in Cape Town, by Mr Evans, raising the same issues,” Majavu said.
“Once again I’ve been cited, and I have to go and defend ASA in Cape Town.
“I have reached a point where my tolerance for these shenanigans is at an all time low. It is a shame, a low down dirty shame.”
Majavu said he would not allow any further litigation against ASA, as it did not have athletics issues at heart.
The ASA administrator said he had held fruitful meetings with possible sponsors, which could save the leaky ship, but a backer had yet to be found.
He had also met with two previous sponsors, and was confident they would partner with ASA again.
“We are making progress. It is difficult because we are doing so in the absence of resources...,” he said.
“It is for that reason that I am irritated by these things.
“I cannot continue to use the resources of ASA to fight unending court cases. It is simply in nobody’s interest to do so.”
Sascoc has given Majavu 120 days to help ASA clear its mounting debt.
Majavu met with 15 provinces on Thursday to update them on progress since his appointment as interim ASA administrator in April.
He said some of the presidents had initially approached the meeting with scepticism.
“They have unanimously pledged their support and they have expressed their disgust at the manner in which ASA has been going about its affairs,” Majavu said.
Following the meeting, the provinces said through Athletics North West president Motlatsi Keikabile that they fully supported the ASA administrator.
“We are pleased, as provinces, about the progress he has made so far and we are confident that under his leadership, ASA would stabilise,” Keikabile said.
Majavu revealed that a notice, written on an ASA letterhead, for a special general meeting (SGM) had been distributed to the provinces with Evans's name at the bottom.
In the letter it was claimed that five motions would be discussed at SGM, which was to be held at the University of Pretoria on June 22.
According to the ASA constitution, written requests from six provinces are needed to convene an SGM.
The provinces that attended Thursday's meeting with Majavu rejected the proposed SGM. – Sapa