Sascoc will brief politicians next Tuesday (November 17) on their decision to suspend the ASA, its President Leonard Chuene, deputy Kakata Maponyane and the rest of the Board over its handling of the Semenya situation.

ASA supporters have accused Sascoc of using the saga to revive their long-held plot to remove the embattled Chuene from power.

ASA has now instructed top South African lawyer Monty Hacker to challenge its suspension, which has been backed by Makhenkesi Stofile, the Minister of Sport and Recreation.

ASA claim that Sascoc does not have the authority to suspend Chuene and ASA.

Gauteng North Athletics vice-president John Mathane said: "Sascoc took an unpopular decision without approaching the board of ASA.

"They were supposed to have approached the board with their recommendations.

"It is the [ASA] Council that has the power to suspend the President and the board, not Sascoc."

Mpumalanga Athletics president Ben Makola said: "Sascoc has a problem of its own, which they should address as a matter of urgency.

"They are against transformation."

John Ncinane, the President of Eastern Cape Athletics, said: "The appointment of Ray Mali by Sascoc as the interim leader of ASA is a recipe for disaster.

"Ray is a cricket leader, there is no transformation in cricket.

"There is a hidden agenda because athletics is doing well in transformation and our athletes are also winning medals.

"There are problems in soccer after the SAFA (South African Football Association) elections but Sascoc is not intervening.

"Sascoc and the department of "sport and recreation undermine athletics because it is run mainly by black people."


Related stories
November 2009: South African athletes come forward to complain about Chuene and ASA
November 2009: Chuene suspended for lying in Semenya gender row
October 2009: Chuene told by ANC to apologise for lying over Semenya
October 2009: Calls for politician to be banned from Semenya discussions
October 2009: South Africans demanding apology from Diack over Semenya