Question NW1222 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
12 December 2023 - NW1222
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1).Whether, with reference to the urgent High Court interdict obtained in November 2022 by Netball SA (NSA) against Olivia Jasriel not to speak about netball and the abuse within NSA (details furnished), Ms Molokwane got a resolution passed by the board for the court application to take place; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2). whether he will furnish Mrs V van Dyk with a copy of the resolution; if not, why not; if so, on what date; (3). whether the costs of the application and/or any other litigious documentation reflect anywhere in the NSA financials; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4). (a) what are the reasons that NSA has still not contacted the victims and offered assistance in line with their Constitution (details furnished), (b) who is their lead safeguarding officer, (c) what are the reasons that the person has not contacted the victim and (d) what support has been offered to the victim?
Reply:
Netball South Africa responded to the question in the following manner:-
(1). There was never such an interdict. Ms. Jasriel publicly and baselessly called Ms.
Molokwane a rapist and a court order were obtained directing Ms. Jasriel to stop defaming Ms. Molokwane and NSA. No order was obtained preventing Ms. Jasriel talking about abuse in netball.
Ms. Molokwane as the President of Netball South Africa has never acted in her personal capacity, and neither has the former CEO, Ms. Blanche De La Guere, when they gave mandate to Donaldson Attorneys.
(2). Yes, upon request the copy of the resolution can be shared.
(3). Netball South Africa is audited annually and received a clean audit for the previous 5 financial years. Litigation expenses should be reflected in the financials and will be available when they are published.
The legal form which advises and manages legal matters for Netball South Africa are on a retainer payable monthly for R16 000 a month to The Labour Counsel, inclusive of all other membership/ council disciplinary matters as per Constitution. Any other matter requesting a Senior Council appearance would be recovered from the respondent.
(4)(a). The victims were contacted.
(b). Mrs. Annelie Lucas, the Director Coaching.
(c). The victims have all been contacted.
(d). Counselling has been offered to the victims. Please see below further explanation to the case.
Background to the case:
It is important to state that the incident in question took place during a Schools Netball Tournament, which is an associate member of South African Schools Netball (SASN), run by its own Executive Committee (Board), led by Ms. Di Wooley.
Firstly, NSA would like to reiterate that it stands firm against any form of abuse and will not tolerate nor accept any form of abuse within its structures. NSA is committed to protecting members, players, and their families and to effectively and appropriately respond when there is an allegation of child abuse or sexual harassment.
In the reported matter of sexual assault, both NSA and the South African Schools Netball (SASN-a governing body for schools’ netball) together with SASCOC worked together in resolving the matter. Although the alleged rape of a minor happened at a SASN event which operates independently from NSA and is governed by the Department of Education. NSA stepped in to attend to the investigation. The schools’ organisations plan and run their own netball competitions as per the Department of Education’s mandate and/or governance within the extracurricular unit.
The chairperson of SASN was never questioned nor humiliated by Afriforum, nor the Portfolio Committee. As the custodian of Netball in the Country and because SASN is an associate member of NSA, NSA requested the KZN Schools structure, KZN Provincial
leadership, SASCOC and NSA to meet.
The following process was followed to assist the assaulted victim:
- It was reported that the assaulted victim attended a consultation session with a psychologist in November 2021.
- a report was presented to the committee consisting of NSA, SASN, KZN schools’ structure and the KZN Provincial leadership.
- the KZN Provincial netball chairperson has been in communication with the family.