LIMPOPO – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo says it wants Sports, Arts and Culture MEC Jerry Maseko to make the findings of an internal investigation of the mistreatment of athletes during the South African Schools Athletics Championships in Bloemfontein in April this year public.

In April, it was reported that some learners had to sleep in a bus without proper accommodation and meals, which led to the team’s withdrawal.

As a result, the DA demanded that the MEC do a thorough investigation.

The MEC gave a 10-page written report in the provincial legislature on Thursday, October 23.

Probe reveals alleged misconduct and corruption

According to DA spokesperson for Sports, Arts and Culture, Adv Franco Marx, the report dated August 15, exposes a litany of failures and misconduct.

These include alleged contradicting statements, elements of dishonesty, and a lack of proper oversight by senior project officials.

“It also includes dereliction of duty, with senior managers failing to attend the national event, elements of extortion and probable corruption, where officials allegedly collected money from suppliers to secure services, a practice said to have been ongoing for years,” the DA states.

Marx says that the report also states that officials were found to be intoxicated and absent from the stadium during the sports events, and also fraudulent backdating of documents, indicating possible corruption and cover-ups.

Officials face disciplinary, criminal action

The investigation recommended disciplinary action against multiple senior and junior officials, including some in top management positions within the department, and further proposed that the department open a criminal case with the police regarding extortion and corruption.

Read more: Lim athletes deserve an explanation after champs

Party demands repayment and committee overhaul

The DA wants a total of R312 473.58 to be recovered from implicated officials and service providers and Limpopo School Athletics (Limsa) team members, and a full audit of the sport and recreation programmes for the past two years to be conducted.

It further recommends that the current Limsa committee be disbanded, as its term expired in 2024, that non-performing service providers be blacklisted on the National Treasury database, and that the department deliver all missing sporting attire to affected athletes.

Marx says that although they appreciate the investigation from the MEC, they demand that the MEC hold people found to the wrong accountable.

“We want the report to be made public and the names of the people in the wrong published.

The MEC must tell us when he will implement the recommendations, and we will continue to follow up and make sure it is done.”

The Herald contacted Jermina Kaka, spokesperson of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, for comment. At the time of print, it was not received.