Molokwane saga still haunts Netball SA despite Diale’s election win

Mami Diale was elected president of Netball South Africa (NSA) in the federation’s leadership elections at the weekend, but the saga of suspended federation boss Cecelia Molokwane remains unresolved and continues to cast a shadow over the organisation.

World Netball (WN) suspended Molokwane in April on allegations of financial impropriety and staff intimidation, with vice-president Diale stepping in as acting president.

The details of the charges were contained in a dossier leaked in the run-up to the elections last week.

The allegations include the misuse of NSA resources and funds related to the 2023 Netball World Cup in South Africa. The dossier suggests Molokwane used NSA money for personal gain, with several board members testifying about her extravagant spending on upgraded travel and luxury accommodation.

A number of witnesses also provided statements alleging that Molokwane repeatedly intimidated, insulted, and humiliated staff and board members, and that she allegedly sidelined individuals who challenged her decisions, appointing loyalists to key positions to consolidate her power.

Molokwane has denied all the allegations and declared her intention to stand for re-election.

In the week leading up to the polls, Molokwane defied WN's suspension by holding a media conference, where she stated she was resuming her position immediately, claiming that the international netball governing body did not have jurisdiction over her after she resigned from the their board.

This claim was rejected by both WN and NSA.

Molokwane failed to make good on her promise to return to work, and the polls eventually went ahead as scheduled during the Special Council Meeting (SCM) and the Quadrennial General Meeting (QGM) at the Garden Court Hotel in Kempton Park.

According to NSA, 62 of the 69 council members were present over the weekend, with representatives from SASCOC acting as observers.

Speaking shortly after being elected as president, Diale said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the council members for demonstrating such confidence in me and electing me as their new leader for the next four years. A big thank you also to all members who nominated me – this is no small feat, and I am truly honoured.

“Now that the elections are concluded, the real work begins. I have full confidence that the new leadership of NSA are ready and capable to continue with the business of the day and the work that lies ahead.

“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.”

Molokwane's disciplinary hearing was scheduled for December but was postponed until January, allegedly at the former NSA president’s request. It is unclear at this stage what the impact would be if Molokwane is cleared by WN, as she still has one more term remaining from a total of three four-year terms.

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