Ray Mali, who has been parachuted in by the South Africa Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) to run the organisation after the President Leonard Chuene and the Board were suspended for their alleged mis-handling of the gender row involving world 800 metres champion Caster Semenya, stood his ground and locked the doors to the building.
 

Malehopo then secretly returned to the building through the back gate and had tried to disrupt the meeting Mali was about to convene on the organisation's poor finances.

 

Malehopo returned to his office this afternoon with a lawyer's letter and refused to leave the premises.
 

Police were called in and Malehopo was escorted out.
 

Mali said: "I personally had to call the police after he came back.

 

"We only realised after he had gone that he left without leaving behind the organisation's keys.

 

"He told us that he did not want to leave the office because his lawyer had advised him not to leave the building because he was not employed by Sascoc.

 

"It was a big surprise when he returned for the second time."

 

After Malehopo was escorted away, a locksmith changed all the building's locks.

 

Mali hopes that now the drama is over he can get down to trying to sort the chaotic situation at the ASA.

 

He said: "We have a mess to sort out here.

 

"There are good people in this country who want to see athletics on top."

 

 

Related stories

November 2009: Former ICC President to oversee Athletics South Africa

November 2009: Chuene suspension to be investigated by South African Parliament
November 2009: South African athletes come forward to complain about Chuene and ASA
November 2009: Chuene suspended for lying in Semenya gender row
October 2009: Chuene told by ANC to apologise for lying over Semenya