Suspended Netball South Africa (NSA) president Cecilia Molokwane has broken her silence six months after World Netball (WN) imposed a suspension over allegations of financial misconduct and staff intimidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With only a week left before NSA\u2019s pivotal presidential elections\u2014an event she\u2019s barred from\u2014Molokwane took the stage in Polokwane on Thursday, forcefully accusing senior NSA officials of colluding with WN to damage her reputation and block her re-election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cThis is a calculated attempt to block me from the elections,\u201d Molokwane asserted. \u201cI\u2019ve stayed silent for too long, but silence will not protect the truth. I called this press briefing to demand fairness and transparency. I deliberately waited until the Telkom Netball League and the Under-21 World Cup concluded because I did not want to harm the sport I love.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Allegations and Denials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Molokwane, who successfully oversaw South Africa\u2019s hosting of the 2023 Netball World Cup, claims she has been the target of a smear campaign involving WN, SASCOC, and certain NSA insiders. She disclosed that she first learned about her suspension via email from WN and subsequently stepped down from her role as a WN director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The allegations against her include misappropriating millions in NSA funds \u2014 including World Cup-related finances \u2014 and intimidating staff members. Molokwane categorically denies all claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cThe council could have addressed these matters internally,\u201d she said. \u201cI referred the allegations to NSA\u2019s legal team, who found no evidence against me. I don\u2019t even control the federation\u2019s finances. On 6 September, I was accused of misusing R19 million and staying in hotels 157 times \u2014 every trip was approved by the CEO. Living in Polokwane, three hours from Johannesburg, attending meetings required travel. That was not misconduct.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n