Netball SA faces R360k legal bill from World Netball amid Molokwane probe

Netball South Africa (NSA) is staring down a hefty legal invoice of more than R360 000 from World Netball, a demand that has left the federation fuming and fearful about its future.

At the heart of the storm is suspended NSA president Cecilia Molokwane, who has been under investigation since April following allegations lodged anonymously with the global governing body

Why the invoice matters

The legal bill stems from preliminary hearings conducted by World Netball earlier this month, with a final decision expected only in December. According to confidential correspondence, NSA has been ordered to pay the £15 452 fee by 30 September. Failure to do so could trigger calls to disband the federation altogether, halting its ongoing executive election process.

For a non-profit organisation like NSA, the figure isn’t just another line on a balance sheet. It represents money that could otherwise fuel training camps, grassroots growth, and international preparation for the Baby Proteas and the senior Spar Proteas.

An NSA executive member, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration at being saddled with costs they believe stem from “decisions made by individuals without proper consultation.”

The bigger picture

The timing couldn’t be worse. The Baby Proteas are preparing for their final training camp before the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, while the senior national team is scheduled for a high-profile test series against Australia and New Zealand.

Redirecting funds towards legal bills, insiders argue, could undermine South Africa’s competitive edge just when netball is enjoying unprecedented visibility after last year’s World Cup hosted in Cape Town.

What happens next?

World Netball has yet to provide a detailed explanation of how the costs were calculated, though SABC Sport has requested clarity. In the meantime, NSA faces an unenviable choice: pay up and risk crippling its programmes, or push back and risk disbandment.

Either way, the fallout could shape the trajectory of South African netball at both youth and senior levels and fans are watching closely.

Source: SABC Sport 

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