The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has warned its Board members not to have any contact with Barry Hendricks, after the suspended acting President advised them that he planned to continue in his duties. Hendricks was suspended on 15 April whilst an investigation takes place into whether he blocked a candidate from standing against him in SASCOC Presidential elections.

After Hendricks was suspended, South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture expressed ‘concerns over leadership instability’ at SASCOC. ‘The committee expects to receive a detailed briefing from the ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture once the lockdown regulations had been lifted’, read a statement. ‘SASCOC is expected to elect new leadership that will take South Africa to the Olympics in Japan’.

Hendricks maintains that his suspension is unconstitutional and wrote to SASCOC Board Members over the weekend, alleging that they hold a conflict of interest. ‘It is my considered view that most of the current Board members, especially those standing for elections, have a vested interest in the outcome of the arbitration [relating to allegations regarding the blocking of candidates]’, he wrote, reported The South African. ‘Therefore, they are conflicted and should forthwith cease to be involved in any manner or form’. 

‘The Board is fully satisfied that it has acted legally, responsibly and reasonably and has not been swayed by emotion, outside influence or ulterior motives in taking the decision to relieve the Acting President of his duties until the investigation is finalised’, read a SASCOC statement in reply to Hendricks’ letter. ‘The continuing attack by Mr Hendricks on the current Board is both unprecedented and unwarranted as this is the same Board he was quite happy to lead until his leave of absence. It is unwarranted because Mr Hendricks did agree and support the obtaining of an independent legal opinion wherein the findings into his conduct were made. As such we cannot understand his objection to the process being embarked upon.’