WeeklySA_AdminRunning Into Trouble: Acsa bosses quizzed in Parly about purchases at Nandos and shebeens using the federation’s credit cards during festive season
By Sports Reporter
Athletics South Africa head honchos seem to have been on a personal shopping spree using the federation’s credit cards with purchases at bottle stores, taverns, fast food outlets and fashion retailers during last year’s festive season.
These suspected transactions starting on December 31, New Year’s Eve, included R128 at a bottle store, petrol, and four Vodacom Makoya Shandis pur-chases. An additional R969 was spent at Cellular Express, ALB St Auste.
These were followed on January 1, 2024, when the card was used at a drinking hole called Ekhoneni Bulk 23 Moagi tavern. It was also used at Pick n Pay Express in Vosloorus, east of Joburg.On January 3 2024, there was a purchase at Fresh Ocean Fish. And on January 5 2024 there was a transaction at OR Tambo International Airport.
On January 6 2024, the card was also used at a tavern called Rosie O’Grady’s Bar. And it was used again at OR Tambo airport. On January 7 2024 the card was again used at Ekhoneni tavern and at OR Tambo.
On January 8 2024 the credit card was used at Nando’s Norwood, buying food to the value of R500. It was further revealed that on January 20 2024, the credit card was used at another tavern in the Free State, as well as at KFC.
On March 26 there was a purchase of R1 000 at Thandi’s Tavern. There was another purchase later at Gqeberha Newlands, wheret alco-hol worth R9,320.40 was bought..
Purchases were also noted at Foschini, a wom-en’s fashion retailer, and Love Candy, a confection-ery store.
Further concerns were raised by Eugene Mthethwa, a member of the EFF. He stated that on December 13, Asa’s acting CEO Terremce Magogodela allegedly spent R8, 938 on alcohol from NGF. This was just two days before Moloi’s birthday.
The federation reportedly had two credit cards—used by Moloi and other staff members It was revealed that ASA previously had three credit cards. One of them was registered to Moloi.
However, Patriotic Alliance MP Marlon Daniels was unconvinced.“You’re being dishonest. That booze was for yourself and your own parties,” he said.Both parliament and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, have recommend-ed a full forensic
As to be expected, members of the portfolio committee were not amused, more so with both Magogodela and Moloi’s responses. ANC MP Matsholo Mmolotsane Mmolotsane fired the first salvo questioning the legitimacy of these expenses.
“Why was the card used when ASA was closed? And is it even permissible to buy alcohol using company funds?
Moloi defended himself by saying he enter-tained potential business partners who preferred to meet in taverns.
“I did buy Nando’s, but it was for athletes participating in a cross-country marathon. They are often hungry,” Moloi told parliarment.“I bought alcohol, primarily for clients and business associates who expressed interest in sup-porting ASA. These individuals often requested meetings at taverns. And during those engage-ments, they would ask me to buy them drinks.“
I had to accommodate them as part of our engagement efforts. Some of the alcohol was also intended for artists as we were in the process of organising an event.”
For his part, Magogodela said he was not concerned because he followed the proper proce-dures and did not use the funds for personal gain.
I used the credit card to entertain clients and support athletes. I voluntarily returned the card in February 2024 and haven’t used it since. I’m not concerned because I followed the proper proce-dures and did not use the funds for personal gain. I won’t be making any further comments on the is-sue
However, members of the portfolio committee were not convinced, with Patriotic Alliance MP Marlon Daniels telling Moloi: “You’re being dishonest. That booze was for yourself and your own parties,” he said.Both parliament and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, have recommend-ed a full forensic
However, Patriotic Alliance MP Marlon Daniels was unconvinced. “You’re being dishonest. That booze was for yourself and your own parties,” he said.Both parliament and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, have recommend-ed a full forensic
“There’s no way official meetings can be held in taverns—the music is loud, and it’s impossible to have a proper discussion in such an environment,” said Minister McKenzie.“We are actively seeking sponsorships, yet ASA couldn’t even get athletes to Peru. Do you understand how bad that looks? I must commend the portfolio committee. Some athletes, including those in hockey and running, pay for themselves. Then we hear that the very body meant to support them is spending money at taverns.
We will launch a full forensic investigation immediately. I per-sonally raised millions for ASA—I picked up the phone and did it myself. But there is no excuse for this kind of behaviour. Don’t lie to the committee. I hope everything that was said here today is the truth,” McKenzie told SABC, visibly angry.
