Question NW14 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
05 March 2021 - NW14
Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). Whether he has been informed that the current leadership of Basketball South Africa is unconstitutional as per the amended constitution ratified at the Annual General Meeting on 23 August 2014, due to a quorum not being achieved and elections not having taken place since 2016; if not, why not; if so, what steps will he take in this regard; (2). what are the reasons that his department is still approving funding for activities when reports from the provinces indicate that no activities are taking place, let alone the existence of governing structures within the broader Basketball South Africa spectrum; (3). what are the reasons that the financial statements have not been audited for the past five financial years, even though the submission of audited financial statements is one of the criteria for federations to receive funding; (4). whether he is in a position to give account with regard to (a) who compiled the financial statements and (b) who audited such statements prior to 2018; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1). The Minister has not been informed that the current leadership of Basketball SA is unconstitutional. However, the Minister is aware of the problems experienced by Basketball SA. The Minister in conjunction with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee is engaging Basketball SA to solve the problems bedevilling the sport in order to place in an acceptable administrative position.
2). The Department has not transferred any funds to Basketball SA since 2016. This recognizing that the organization was non-compliant with the minimum requirements for receiving Government Grant.
3). Basketball SA indicated that they were not receiving favourable cooperation from their previous Auditors, Sithole SS Chartered Accounts. They indicated that as a result they have had to change the Auditors.
4). (a) Basketball SA indicated that Bakgone Chartered Accounts compiled the financial statements.
(b) Basketball SA indicated that Sithole SS Chartered Accounts were the Auditors for the organization until 2019. However, did not complete the audits since 2016 / 2017 financial year hence Basketball SA had to change Auditors to Bakgone Chartered Accounts. Bagkone Chartered Accounts thereafter conducted Audits for the financial years since 2016 / 2017 to date 2019 /2020.