Sport Industry Group

Parliament dragged into Semenya case- 19 May 2011 00:00:00

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) is set to clash with Parliament over the Caster Semenya gender case.

The portfolio committee on sport and recreation summoned SASCOC to explain its handling of the case against Athletics South Africa in relation to the matter.

Committee chairperson Butana Komphela said: ‘We want SASCOC to clarify their terms of reference in relation to the Caster Semenya case against the Athletics South Africa leadership’.

‘When SASCOC suspended the ASA they announced that they were investigating its handling of the Semenya case. That was the only charge’.

Parliament have become involved in the matter after the Speaker of Parliament Max Sisulu was handed a petition, reportedly signed by a group of concerned South Africans, asking for SASCOC’s role in the gender case to be investigated.

SASCOC chief executive Tubby Reddy said: ‘I want to make it clear that we don't recognise the petition to Parliament’.

‘We have requested a copy of the so-called petition and we are prepared to go to Parliament but it must be noted that we also have a big IOC (International Olympic Committee) gathering to prepare for’.

The petition also calls for the reinstatement of former ASA boss Leonard Chuene, and former colleagues Kakata Maponyane and Simon Dlamini.