October 26 - South Africa's opposition party has demanded that Butana Komphela (pictured), chairman of the the country's Sports and Recreation Portfolio Committee, be excluded from any future discussions about world 800 metres champion Caster Semenya after allegations that he knew there were doubts over her gender.

 

Donald Lee, the Democratic Alliance's Shadow Minister of Sport, said: "I will this week write to the Speaker of Parliament and the ANC (African National Congress) Chief Whip, to request that Mr Butana Komphela be suspended as chairperson of the portfolio committee on sport and recreation, with regard to all deliberations concerning Caster Semenya.

 

"It is reported that the document compiled by Athletics South Africa (ASA) team doctor Harold Adams states that Leonard Chuene consulted with 'top-level politicians' before deciding to enter Caster Semenya into the field at the World Athletics Championships [in Berlin]."

 

Lee claimed that, according to Adams, one of those consulted was allegedly Komphela, a leading member of the ruling ANC party.

 

He said: "This is the equivalent of [South African coach] Pieter de Villiers phoning the Minister of Sport to ask whom he should select for the next rugby test.

 

"If true, it demonstrates a flagrant disregard for his role, and has several profound implications for his ability to provide the necessary oversight on this matter.

 

"If untrue, Mr Komphela needs to clarify the situation immediately.

 

"His silence to date suggests he does not dispute the facts as have been reported."

 

 

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