Question NW3786 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
24 November 2023 - NW3786
Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(a). What is the envisaged commencement date of the investigation on South Africa’s position on World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) compliance and possible consequences due to non-compliance, (b) what are the (i) terms of reference and (ii) timeframes of the investigation and (c) on what date will he report back to Parliament and the nation on the WADA non- compliance? NW5002E
Reply:
(a) Efforts in processing of amendments to the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Amendment Act; 2006 (Act No. 25 of 2006) to ensure alignment and compliance with the WADA Code have pre-occupied the Minister’s attention since August 2023 to the end of October 2023. The Minister’s engagement with this process also assisted him to understand roles of different players in what is ascribed to have caused late amendment of the identified sections in the Act, resulting in non-conformance to WADA code. In November 2023, an audit team has been briefed to start working on the terms of reference and scope for the appointment of an investigation that will determine possible consequent management actions because of this non-compliance and related recommendations.
(b)(i). Terms of reference are currently being developed and (ii) timeframes of the investigation will be determined once the investigation team has been appointed. It is envisaged that the investigation team will be appointed in December 2023 to commence the investigation in January 2024 due to the December holiday break period.
(c). Minister will provide progress reports to Parliament and the nation on the WADA non- compliance focusing on amending the legislation various steps of taking it through the legislative review process so that it speedily reaches Parliament for promulgation by no later than February 2024.