World Athletics has reportedly given Athletics South Africa (ASA) six months to reform its constitution and strengthen its internal oversight mechanisms, warning that failure to meet the requirements could lead to a provisional suspension. The warning, reported on 19 October 2026, comes amid an institutional crisis marked by divisions within the leadership, questions over decision-making procedures and disciplinary proceedings involving suspended president James Moloi.
According to reports, the requirements were set out in a letter dated 15 October and signed by World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon. The document also urges ASA to implement the recommendation of an independent disciplinary panel that called for Moloi’s removal over two violations related to the use of federation funds. Although the warning raises the possibility of international sanctions, ASA has not been confirmed as suspended, and the contents of the letter still require direct confirmation from the organisations involved.
World Athletics demands structural governance reforms
The intervention follows a fact-finding mission conducted in South Africa on 2 and 3 September 2026 by Zakhele Dlamini, president of the Southern Africa Athletics Confederation and vice-president of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA). The mission was requested by both organisations to examine ASA’s operations and identify potential weaknesses in its institutional structure.
According to information published about the letter, the report identified divisions within the executive board, difficulties in reaching collective decisions, conflicts of interest and questions about the responsibilities of certain officials. World Athletics and the CAA also consider that ASA’s draft constitution does not meet all the required governance principles. They have therefore called for the council to be recognised as the organisation’s highest decision-making authority and for voting rights to be reserved for duly accredited representatives of its members.
The reforms include strengthening transparency and institutional accountability, defining the responsibilities of governing bodies and establishing independent mechanisms to oversee elections, disciplinary proceedings and finances. They also include provisions on term limits, gender balance and athlete representation, with the aim of reducing conflicts of interest and improving the federation’s operations.
Reform deadlines and new elections
According to media reports on the letter, ASA must confirm its commitment to the reforms within 14 days of receiving it. Within one month, it must submit a detailed timetable to World Athletics and the CAA for reviewing and approving the new constitution.
The next step is to formally adopt the amendments within a maximum of six months. Once the new constitution has been approved, ASA must hold elections within the following three months under the revised governance framework. Final approval of the changes will remain the responsibility of the South African federation’s council, although the process will be subject to external oversight.
World Athletics and the CAA intend to appoint Dlamini as an independent observer to oversee constitutional approval and the elections, facilitate dialogue and submit regular reports. The aim is to ensure that the changes lead to effective modifications to the federation’s structures and procedures, rather than remaining a formal update of its rules.
James Moloi and allegations involving the use of funds
Moloi was suspended by ASA’s board in October 2025 following a forensic investigation by Forvis Mazars into possible financial irregularities. According to information published by IOL, the review identified nearly 400 uses of a corporate credit card between May 2023 and April 2024, with spending reportedly exceeding established limits and including more than 300,000 rand in unauthorised or personal expenses.
On 6 October 2026, an independent disciplinary panel chaired by retired judge Basheer Waglay issued its findings on two charges relating to the misuse of ASA funds. According to reports, the panel found Moloi guilty on both charges and recommended his removal as president and as a member of the executive board. World Athletics has reportedly demanded that ASA implement this recommendation, although his removal has not been independently confirmed as having taken place.
The case has become one of the main sources of pressure on the federation and reinforces demands for independent financial controls and transparent disciplinary procedures. However, it is important to distinguish between the panel’s findings, the request attributed to World Athletics and the actual implementation of the sanction.
Possible suspension and its consequences for South African athletics
If ASA fails to adopt a satisfactory constitution within the established deadline or deliberately obstructs the process, the case could be referred to the World Athletics Council for consideration of disciplinary measures. One of the possibilities mentioned is a provisional suspension of ASA’s membership, but no such sanction has been imposed at this stage. Any decision would have to follow the applicable procedures.
A potential suspension could affect the federation’s international standing and create uncertainty for South African athletes. The specific consequences would depend on the measures adopted, so it is not yet possible to determine how international participation might be affected. According to reports, World Athletics would prefer ASA to implement the reforms and avoid reaching that stage.
The outcome will depend on the federation’s official response, progress on constitutional reform and implementation of the disciplinary ruling against Moloi. Until World Athletics and ASA directly confirm the terms of the letter, the specific deadlines and requirements should be attributed to the media reports published on 19 October 2026.
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