The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has suspended president Barry Hendricks with immediate effect while an internal investigation proceeds, the umbrella body said on Wednesday. The move adds to a spate of high‑profile governance troubles across South African sport.
Temporary ban while probe continues
Sascoc said the suspension was imposed “in accordance with Sascoc’s governance protocols and ongoing internal review processes”. The organisation appointed retired judge Basheer Waglay to investigate several anonymous complaints lodged against Hendricks.
“In his report, Judge Waglay recommended that there was prima facie evidence to warrant referral of the complaints to the Sascoc judicial body for further action,” the governing body said.
Sascoc emphasised the suspension is not a finding of wrongdoing. The board said the step was necessary to protect the integrity of the organisation and to ensure the investigation is thorough and impartial. While Hendricks is suspended, Sascoc vice‑president Lwandile Simelane will act as head of the board.
Part of a wider pattern of suspensions
The Hendricks suspension follows a number of other governance actions at national federations. The presidents of several sports bodies are currently under investigation or suspended:
- Athletics SA president James Moloi — suspended;
- Swimming SA president Alan Fritz — suspended;
- Karate South Africa executive committee — suspended by the World Karate Federation, including president Sonny Pillay;
- Netball SA — former president Cecilia Molokwane is under investigation by World Netball, though she has since been replaced.
The string of probes and suspensions points to a broader governance challenge within the national sporting landscape, with several of the country’s prominent federations currently operating under the cloud of inquiry.
| Body | Current status |
|---|---|
| Sascoc (President: Barry Hendricks) | Temporarily suspended; investigation by retired judge Basheer Waglay |
| Athletics SA (President: James Moloi) | Suspended |
| Swimming SA (President: Alan Fritz) | Suspended |
| Karate South Africa (President: Sonny Pillay) | Executive committee suspended by World Karate Federation |
| Netball SA (Former president: Cecilia Molokwane) | Under investigation by World Netball; leadership since replaced |
Allegations and next steps
Media reports have suggested that some of the allegations against Hendricks include attempts to influence board votes in favour of a preferred candidate for a vacant executive committee seat. Sascoc did not detail the precise nature of the anonymous complaints beyond confirming Waglay’s referral and recommendation.
Judge Waglay’s finding of prima facie evidence, as summarised by Sascoc, means the matter will be considered by Sascoc’s judicial body for potential further action. The governing body is now expected to follow its internal disciplinary and judicial procedures, while Simelane leads the board in the interim.
The unfolding situation raises practical and reputational questions for Sascoc as it performs its role coordinating elite sport, Olympic matters and international representation for South Africa. Stakeholders within sport governance will be watching the judicial process closely for outcomes that could shape leadership and accountability standards across federations.
For now, Sascoc has signalled it will allow the appointed investigator to complete his review and that the suspension is a temporary administrative measure designed to preserve organisational integrity during that process.
