Three senior executives of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) have been dismissed with immediate effect, following a disciplinary hearing held in Johannesburg on 4-7 December.

The executives dismissed, effective from 8 January 2018, are chief executive officer Tubby Reddy, chief financial officer Vinesh Maharaj and executive manager Jean Kelly, respectively.

Chairperson of the disciplinary inquiry, Advocate Anton Myburgh SC, found Reddy guilty of a wide range of charges.

In his findings, Advocate Myburgh found Reddy guilty of:

– the sexual harassment of a SASCOC employee
– dishonesty and a material breach of fiduciary duties
– gross negligence
– failing to disclose conflict of interest.

Maharaj was also found guilty of a raft of charges and Advocate Myburgh declared that Maharaj had ‘in a number of instances acted dishonestly or committed financial irregularities. Overall, his conduct is incompatible with the position of CFO.’

Kelly was found guilty of two charges and Advocate Myburgh determined that ‘in both instances she acted dishonestly or in breach of her duty of good faith, and colluded with Mr Reddy against SASCOC. Her misconduct was severe’.

Kelly was found guilty of ‘engaging in grossly dishonest conduct and in material breach of the duty of good faith to employer.’

President of SASCOC, Gideon Sam, said that the SASCOC Board had approved, adopted and ratified the recommendation of Advocate Myburgh to summarily dismiss the three executives.

All three former executives have 30 days in which to appeal to the CCMA on the grounds of unfair dismissal should they seek that route.

Last July, SASCOC revealed that Reddy had been suspended with full pay pending the completion of the investigation.

All three former executives had been employed by SASCOC for long periods; in the case of Reddy and Maharaj 12 years each, and in Kelly’s case, 10 years. ‘In the circumstances, despite (their) length of service, and clean record, I recommend their summary dismissal,’ Advocate Myburgh recommended.

Photo: Wessel Oosthuizen/Gallo Images