ASA owes more than R1,5-million

SHOOT: Is a sports body meant to be a treasure chest for officials to plunder or is it meant to benefit the athletes in whose name it is operated? And we wonder why we don't win medals?

M&G: It has come to the M&G's attention that immediately after the newspaper questioned ASA general manager Molatelo Malehopo about his knowledge of the company he "suspended" Mlangeni-Tsholetsane. In an effort to undermine the M&G's story, ASA leaked it to Sapa before the paper went to print.

"They want to make the story weak because it impacts negatively on them. They are senior managers and claim to not know what is happening within the federation. People should dig deep into ASA -- and there is more to come," said the senior official.

When the M&G tried to photograph Mlangeni-Tsholetsane on Wednesday this week, ASA management phoned the association's security company, Protea Coin, which threatened to confiscate and break the camera.

clipped from www.mg.co.za As Sascoc announced the suspension of Leonard Chuene and the ASA board, Lucky Sindane reports on internal corruption at the athletics body involving its events manager Early this week the electricity supply to ASA's offices was cut off, owing to overdue bills. The Mail & Guardian understands that as of last week its bank balance stood at R2 000. An investigation by the M&G can reveal that Mlangeni-Tsholetsane is the director of Sequel Experience, a company that has been operating since 2007 and does business with the athletics federation. Sequel Experience sends bulk cellphone messages to a database of about 15000 athletes, updating them on coming events. The M&G understands that Mlangeni-Tsholetsane's company has been paid close to R600 000 for services rendered in the 2009 season. ASA insiders say that for the Soweto Marathon alone, her company benefited to the tune of about R100 000.