Netball South Africa hits back at Parliament as round 2 awaits

Under-siege Netball South Africa (NSA) have publicly condemned the hostile approach taken during a recent parliamentary session, in which their financial records were scrutinised, asserting that they have taken the moral high ground.

Members of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts, and Culture expressed dismay at the organisation's failure to provide audited financial records for the 2023 Netball World Cup, which concluded in August 2023.

The South African Government had allocated R90 million to support the hosting of the global netball spectacle. Yet, nearly two years after the event, NSA and the Netball World Cup Board have still not furnished the requisite financial statements.

This situation prompted a series of pointed questions from committee members, who appeared visibly exasperated by the lack of coherent responses from the organisations' officials during the live proceedings last week, to NSA CEO Modiegi Komane. These proceedings were broadcast.

NSA failed to adequately explain several items on their 2023/24 financial statement. These concerns were heightened by the organisation’s inability to provide clarity on expenditures related to consulting fees and the engagement of a social media influencer.

In a strongly worded statement issued following the session, NSA attempted to address the committee’s concerns, asserting that despite the time elapsed since the World Cup, the organisation still requires additional time to compile the necessary audited financial statements.

An excerpt from NSA’s statement reads: “During a recent Parliamentary session, questions were raised, including specific line-item expenditures from NSA’s past financial records.

“In keeping with Parliamentary House Rules, NSA’s leadership requested time to consult the appropriate records to ensure the accuracy of our responses. It is not only within our rights but also our responsibility to ensure that the information submitted to Parliament is factually correct and verifiable.

“Despite this, NSA leadership was unfairly pressured to respond immediately to detailed financial queries, specific to the 2023/24 financial year.

“Such expectations are inconsistent with standard Parliamentary practice and risk undermining the integrity of governance processes. In terms of the Parliamentary rules regarding oral questioning, NSA is within its rights.

“The manner in which these questions were posed raises serious concerns. Safeguarding is a fundamental policy in sport and must never be taken lightly.

“However, the interrogative approach directed at our leadership risks undermining the very principles this policy seeks to uphold.”

The parliamentary committee is expected to summon NSA and the Netball World Cup Board to back to Parliament in the coming weeks to provide further clarity on the financial statements and the use of the R90 million allocated for the 2023 Netball World Cup hosted in Cape Town.