Barry Hendricks during the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) Board members portraits on January 12, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo by Gallo Images.
The Board of SASCOC has noted with disappointment the latest regrettable attacks on its integrity by Barry Hendricks.
On 15 April 2020, SASCOC placed Hendricks, who was the Acting President, on leave of absence pending the outcome of an investigation to be conducted by SASCOC’s Judicial Body, to whom the matter has been referred.
The decision that he should step aside until the investigation is finalised, was meant to remove any notions of interference by him and to ensure that the investigation proceeds in a fair and impartial manner.
The process being followed is similar to any other situation where a person in authority is investigated for alleged wrongdoing and is usually placed on leave of absence from duties pending the finalisation of that process.
An independent advocate, Adv. E. M. Baloyi-Mere who was appointed by SASCOC, gave Hendricks an opportunity to present his version and after considering all the evidence presented, found that Hendricks interfered in the nomination of Ms Ravele. So serious were the independent advocate’s findings against Hendricks’ conduct that it warrants an internal investigation by the organisation.
The Board offered Hendricks the opportunity to voluntarily take leave of absence as the Acting President, guided by its powers in the SASCOC Constitution as well as the IOC Charter and the IPC hand book to which it abides.
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.
The continuing attack by 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 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 and it is the Board’s fervent desire that the investigation is finalised as soon as possible and should he be exonerated, he can return to his position as Acting President.
However, until such time the investigation is finalised, the Board will not tolerate its integrity being undermined and will most certainly not recognise Hendricks as its Acting President or an active member of the Board. The Board and members of SASCOC are not to communicate, support or assist him in any manner whatsoever and must not confer with him on any issue connected to the work of the organisation.
The decision to impose the leave of absence is therefore based on findings by the independent advocate that Hendricks conduct can be seen as interfering in the nominations process of the elections that had initially been scheduled for 28 March 2020. Such conduct brings both SASCOC and the nominations and electoral process into disrepute.
It is the Board’s sincere wish that Hendricks applies his energies towards defending the findings with regards to his conduct through the investigation process.
However, should Hendricks persist with his present conduct, which with respect, is unbecoming of a member of the Board, he is at liberty to challenge the decision of the Board and the fair process that it has embarked upon through the investigative process.
It must be noted and recorded that there are currently two processes involving Hendricks and these are: –
1. The investigation into his conduct of ethical behaviour that was reported in the opinion from the independent Advocate which is the purpose of his leave of absence. 2. The complaint by Ntambi Ravele that is being referred to arbitration.
The membership can be rest assured that the business of SASCOC will be executed by the Board, duly assisted by the Acting CEO, in a responsible manner in keeping with its mandate.