New leadership for Netball SA as Athletics SA suspends president James Moloi

When one door closes, another one opens. Or in the case of South African sports: when one suspended federation president is ousted, another one steps into the spotlight with their own suspension. It’s a competition of alleged corruption and abuse of power. 

On Saturday, 25 October 2025, Netball South Africa (NSA) entered a new era as the federation held its quadrennial elections and elected new leadership. Former vice-president Mami Diale replaced Cecilia Molokwane as the leader of NSA. 

The latter is currently suspended from all netball activities by World Netball, pending an investigation into her conduct. Allegations levelled against her include Molokwane plundering NSA money for her own benefit. 

Pass the baton

On the same day that Molokwane was officially ousted, Athletics South Africa’s (ASA) board held an important meeting. It convened to discuss the findings of a South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) investigation into president James Moloi. 

Moloi is accused of using an ASA-issued credit card for personal expenses. This includes swiping it at entertainment venues, as well as using it on his girlfriends — whom he allegedly flew to international athletics events.

The allegations against Moloi first surfaced during ASA’s appearance before the Sports, Arts and Culture parliamentary portfolio committee, in June 2025.

The athletics organisation’s hierarchy was grilled on a number of issues, 

including allegations of Moloi abusing federation funds for his own expenses. The ASA president denied the allegations, saying he had used the money to entertain potential ASA partners.  

Moloi ultimatum           

“Moloi has been served with a letter calling upon him to furnish reasons why he should not be suspended, failing which his suspension will automatically follow,” said ASA.

“ASA has requested him to show cause why the suspension should not be confirmed, binding or made permanent. In the absence of Moloi not providing any substantial reasons why he should not be suspended, and in the event of his suspension, the ASA board has appointed John Mathane – the ASA deputy president — as the acting president.”

The ASA board has instructed Moloi to furnish reasons why he should not be suspended by 31 October. 

Further probe

A disciplinary committee is also set to be mandated to investigate whether any action should be taken against any other official from ASA. This includes its acting CEO Terrence Magogodela and the federation’s finance manager Mphoase Shembeni.

In another parliamentary appearance in April 2025, the Economic Freedom Fighters’ Eugene Mthethwa derided Magogodela for his alleged involvement in the squandering of National Lotteries Commission funds meant to develop a sports facility. 

Magogodela subsequently paid the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) R388,733 for his part in the matter. This amount was for legal costs, curator costs and the amount he was unduly enriched by.

“The settlement with the SIU is an admission of guilt,” said Mthethwa. “It’s a very serious issue when one indirectly admits to guilt by settling. It means you have done something wrong.

“For someone who is an accounting officer for an organisation like Athletics SA, which receives public funds, you should have recused yourself from that position because you are not trustworthy.”

Lingering dark cloud

As for NSA, Diale may be the new sheriff in town, but questions around Molokwane will linger for some time. If Molokwane is somehow vindicated by the end of the ongoing World Netball investigation, she may challenge the validity of NSA’s elections in the courts. 

In the lead-up to the elections and after months of silence since being suspended, Molokwane came out to accuse World Netball of strategically suspending her. She said this was done to prevent her from being eligible for re-election. The Limpopo-born administrator was intent on a third and final four-year term at the helm of South African netball. 

Ironically, NSA’s quadrennial general meeting took place at the same venue where ASA’s leadership was deliberating Moloi’s future — the Garden Court Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport. 

Looking forward

Whereas their athletics counterparts are engulfed in turmoil, new NSA boss Diale is optimistic that netball can now move past Molokwane.  

“Now that the elections are concluded, the real work begins. I have full confidence that the new leadership of Netball South Africa is ready and capable to continue with the business of the day and the work that lies ahead,” Diale said.

“We cannot be oblivious to what has happened in the past… We now need to begin the work of restoration, rebuilding and renewal. We must be intentional about doing the right thing, safeguarding our sport and reclaiming its dignity. Time is a luxury we do not have — we need to hit the ground running.”

If she cares about netball as much as she has stated, it will be easy for Diale to deviate from what South Africans have come to expect from their sports administrators — allegations of greed and powermongering. DM