Question NW2269 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
01 July 2022 - NW2269
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). Whether he will provide Mrs. V van Dyk with a copy of the latest safeguarding policy of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. (2). whether the safeguarding policy makes provision for coaches who are facing criminal charges in all federations to be suspended; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. (3). whether any coaches have been suspended since the new policy was adopted; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in which federation was each coach coaching. (4) whether the head coach of Swimming South Africa has been suspended; if not, why no if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Yes, a copy of the revised policy is attached. This policy is scheduled to be approved at the upcoming Annual General Meeting in November 2022. We have also attached the currently endorsed policy for ease of reference.
2. SASCOC encourages all its members to follow their internal due processes (as determined by their respective Safeguarding Policies and Constitution) and only when such matters are escalated to SASCOC and after due process is exhausted, the case will be forwarded to the Case Management Panel for guidance. It must be noted that, where criminal charges have been laid against a specific coach, and the matter is in the hands of the law enforcement Authorities, in such cases, SASCOC and its members will not get involved except to allow the Justice process to take its course.
3. SASCOC indicates that it has no record of any coaches suspended.
4. SASCOC in its response indicated that their considered view is that the question should be directed to and addressed by Swimming SA. They are in a better position to give clarity on the matter.