World netball's suspension of NSA president Cecilia Molokwane sparks governance crisis as elections loom

Her detractors would have been pleased to see World Netball make a move against Netball South Africa (NSA) president Cecilia Molokwane. But they would not have anticipated the quagmire the federation finds itself in as a consequence.

In April 2025 NSA confirmed the suspension of its president by World Netball, the global governing body of the sport. World Netball did not disclose the basis of Molokwane’s suspension.

Although they refused to delve into the merits of the matter, the global federation told Daily Maverick that the allegations against Molokwane had passed the test of a preliminary hearing. The next step was a disciplinary hearing.  

“The findings of the disciplinary investigation have been passed on to an independent arbitration service, who are now in the process of convening a disciplinary hearing,” World Netball said.  

“To maintain confidentiality and to ensure the integrity of the disciplinary hearing, in line with World Netball disciplinary regulations, no further statement will be made by World Netball at this stage.”

Elections credibility questions

The hope is that the disciplinary hearing will be concluded by the end of 2025. But even after it is, there is a possibility that a final ruling may only be made in early 2026.

In the event that everything is somehow resolved by the end of 2025, there is a high possibility of Molokwane challenging the outcome legally if it does not favour her.

The ongoing process has consequently raised a number of questions before NSA’s upcoming elections — which are set for 25 October. Will they take place? Will the technical exclusion of Molokwane affect the integrity of the process? Especially if the allegations against her do not stick.

City Press reported that there is some opposition from Molokwane’s loyalists, relating to the elections proceeding without her. They cite the unfairness of her being excluded by virtue of being suspended, even though she has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing as yet. 

Molokwane’s supporters do not have the numbers for a meaningful challenge, though.  

Other members are said to be worried about how the exclusion of the suspended president will affect the integrity of the election process. Especially as Molokwane still had one more term remaining from a total of three four-year terms. Prior to her suspension, Molokwane expressed her intention to run for a final term.

Clause 18.7 of NSA’s constitution says the current president of the federation is eligible for re-election without being nominated. However, clause 18.5 puts a timeline on when the official list of nominees should be with the auditors, this being at least 30 working days before the election date.   

Molokwane not a contender

As things stand, the three names that will do battle to replace Molokwane are her deputy and acting president Mami Diale, Eastern Cape Netball president Nompumelelo Javu and Annelie Lucas – NSA’s director of coaching. The only way for Molokwane to remain in the picture is for the elections to be postponed until after World Netball’s investigation is complete.       

Nevertheless, it appears the general consensus is that Molokwane is reaping what she is alleged to have sown during her time as NSA boss. 

A final decision on whether to postpone or proceed with the elections will be made at a special general meeting. This will take place a day prior to the elections.

“Preparation is proceeding as per the NSA constitution; the final decision will be taken at the special general meeting on the 24 October 2025,” NSA told Daily Maverick in a brief written response.

On a question if there are concerns from within NSA about the impact of Molokwane’s suspension from the election process, NSA said: “We cannot comment on this matter as it is still on the legal proceedings.”

In response to how having their president Molokwane suspended by the global body has affected the sport of netball in the country, NSA again said the matter was still being aired legally. 

Nonetheless, it’s not a great look for the sport, the federation and South Africa as a whole from a governance perspective. 

Allegations against Molokwane    

This publication has covered extensively allegations surrounding the NSA president. This includes alleged interference in team selection, financial mismanagement, systematically culling those who are opposed to her ambitions for a third term, and even racism.

“Cecilia is a very vibrant person. She likes to be the centre of attraction. If you are in her camp, all is well. But if you’re not, you get to see the other side of Cecilia Molokwane,” said former vice-president of NSA Christine du Preez.

Molokwane has furiously denied these allegations. Throughout the period of her suspension, the outspoken Molokwane has maintained a low public profile.

Molokwane speaks

However, on 16 October Molokwane convened a press conference in Polokwane. At the media briefing Molokwane announced that she had resumed her duties as NSA president.  

“I’m back in office. I’m a South African and I go by the South African rules and regulations. You can suspend me from the world, but I’m in South Africa. Follow the rules. If I’m guilty, let it be investigated in this country,” Molokwane said. 

“I’ll be so happy that it’s done internally and the right way, procedurally. But this thing of dragging it for six months? A 30-day thing? It cannot be. Somebody must act. 

“The objective [of my suspension]? To prevent my nomination for NSA president… It was also to block my candidacy for World Netball vice-presidency, because I was already approached by certain countries. They wanted me to be the vice-president of World Netball,” she said. 

“That election was held in July 2025 and I couldn’t contest because I was suspended. What a coincidence.”

Still suspended

Just hours after Molokwane’s press conference, NSA responded by distancing itself from her utterances via a statement.  

The federation said the president remained suspended until World Netball said otherwise. Of course, defiance of this could lead to NSA’s suspension by the global body.  

“To our knowledge, Cecilia Molokwane remains suspended under the directives of World Netball. We have not received any communication indicating otherwise,” said acting president Diale. 

“We are aware of the utterances regarding her resuming her role as president of Netball South Africa. As Netball South Africa, we have not engaged with Molokwane and are unaware of her return to the federation.”

The timing of Molokwane’s first public appearance since she was suspended indicates that the beleaguered administrator would like to see the elections halted. 

With the ambitions that she had prior to suspension, including an interest in the position of World Netball vice-president, she may fight this matter to the death. Including in the courts.

That fight — if she pursues it — is something that would hover over the upcoming NSA election results like a malevolent cloud. 

NSA says it has no space to soothe individual egos: “To us, netball comes first — and netball must always win.” DM