What now for Athletics South Africa as MPs call for dissolution of board?

An organisation with no proper financial controls and chaos among its leadership.

Those are damning claims being levelled at Athletics South Africa (ASA).

Such is the level of dysfunction at the organisation that Parliament has called for the entire ASA board to be dissolved.

The recommendation was made following a high-pressure parliamentary briefing on 31 March, where ASA officials faced intense questioning on a range of concerns.

Joseph McGluwa is the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture.

Speaking to 702's Bongani Bingwa, he says ASA is 'on the verge of collapse'.

He says the identified issues are not new.

"It's the lack of political will to address all of these issues, and it's the first in the history of Parliament that a federation appears in Parliament for the fourth time in 12 months over the same issue."

McGluwa says the absence of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie at the most recent meeting is of 'great concern'.

"On various occasions, the minister has undertaken to address the issues and ensure that the athletes are being paid."

During the meeting last month, members of the board were grilled over various issues, including the non-payment of athletes who took part in ASA-sanctioned marathons in Mpumalanga and Soweto.

"The minister undertook that yes, they're going to look into it and [ensure] that these monies will be paid; it's almost a year later," says McGulwa.

He adds that it is time the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) came to the party.

"Some of the members complain that SASCOC is sleeping on the job."

The failure of SASCOC and the minister is a disservice to the huge numbers of talented athletes in South Africa, says McGulwa.

To listen to McGluwa in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, click below: