In an open letter to SASCOC members signed by former chief executive Tubby Reddy and fellow axed employees Vinesh Maharaj and Jean Kelly, it is argued that the governing body did not have the required number of votes to remove the staff members from their posts.

All three were dismissed last week following a lengthy disciplinary process.

Under SASCOC rules, 50 per cent of the ruling board plus one must vote for any decision to take hold.

Out of 14 members, SASCOC and law firm Norton Rose Fulbright ruled that seven voted in favour of the dismissals and two against, with three abstentions and two not responding.

As nine people voted this was said to have achieved quorum, but the trio's open letter has claimed that Mark Alexanders and Kaya Majekes - who were said to have voted no - in fact did not give an opinion either way.

This would mean that only seven of the 14 voted, which would not meet the 50 per cent plus one requirement.

The open letter includes e-mails from Alexanders and Majekes discussing the issue.

"If you look at the response of Mark Alexander, you will see clearly that Mr Alexander questions fairness and clear process and that he actually does not vote yes or no and therefore does not exercise a vote," the letter says.

"If you look at Mr Majekes' response you will notice that he too questions procedure and fairness and goes further to enquire where and when the SASCOC Board took a resolution to follow the course of action implemented by Norton Rose Fulbright.

"This then means that seven voted yes and five questioned the process while two did not participate at all, therefore they do not have a 50 per cent plus one quorum as they required."

The trio's departure followed a formal investigation which was established to investigate four allegations, including the "sudden changes to SASCOC's security service" and the "alleged involvement of staff in irregular governance activities".

Allegations also included a claim of sexual harassment made against Reddy, as well as "awareness of the so-called SS Griffin Report on the alleged bugging/tapping of phones and office communication".

Reddy and financial officer Maharaj were found guilty on 15 and 12 charges respectively, including a breach of the organisation's finance policy.

Kelly, a senior member of staff under Reddy, was reportedly found guilty on two charges, having allegedly colluded with Reddy against SASCOC.

A previous open letter by the trio alleged conflicts of interest, racism and violations against the organisation's constitution.

It was revealed earlier this week that Reddy had submitted more than 700 pages of documents to the chairperson of an inquiry into allegations of misconduct at the national governing body.

The Ministerial Committees of Inquiry was established by South Africa's Sports Minister Thembelani Nxesi in August, at a time when Reddy was suspended following allegations of sexual misconduct.

The inquiry, which is expected to begin later this month, will be led by Judge Ralph Zulman with the support of Ali Bacher and Shamina Gaibie.

It will cover the allegations against Reddy but will mainly concentrate on claims of poor governance, financial mismanagement and non-adherence to the SASCOC constitution.

Among those to vote in favour of the trio's dismissal was SASCOC President Gideon Sam.

insidethegames has contacted SASCOC for a reaction to the latest letter, which can be read here.