Boks, Proteas can fly SA flag - Kodwa announces bid to appeal WADA ban
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has announced the government will be appealing WADA’s decision to prevent SA national teams from flying the national flag.
Last month, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s Compliance Review Committee recommended that current South African legislation is non-compliant with the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code.
WADA’s executive committee later endorsed the decision.
Kodwa announced he had instructed the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) to challenge the declaration through the Court of Arbitration in Sport.
“I believe the grounds for appeal are strong and that the sanctions are not appropriate. The sanction as it pertains to the flying of the national flag has created unnecessary hysteria and punished athletes and players unfairly who are competing for the pride of South Africa,” he added.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the minister said his department had since pulled out all stops to resolve the non-compliance by getting the SAIDS Amendment Bill adopted expeditiously.
“I presented the bill to the cabinet. Last week, the bill was approved by the cabinet and will now be tabled in Parliament. I am confident that WADA will recognise these efforts as a commitment to pass the amended legislation and suspend the non-compliance declaration.”
Kodwa confirmed the filing of the appeal staves off the consequences of the non-compliance as it applies to the flying of the national flag at regional, continental, and World Championships, as well as events organised by major event organisations: “This means that the flying of the South African flag at events such as the Cricket and Rugby World Cups will not be affected until CAS rules on this challenge.”
At the same time, the Democratic Alliance says it has written to Wada requesting a four-month extension to January 2024.
🇿🇦 To enable the Springboks and Proteas to continue using our national anthem and flag at the World Cups, the DA is introducing legislation to align SA with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) October 10, 2023
Here is our letter to the WADA requesting an extension - reversing ANC failures. pic.twitter.com/I3TTbFlvGz
Amid widespread criticism, Kodwa has lambasted what he calls slander against the government and the ANC.
“The political barbs have ignored the rigid and uncompromising stance of WADA on this matter. South Africa is a constitutional democracy, and enacting laws cannot just be done through the ‘stroke of a pen’.”
The minister said realistic timelines for the passing of the bill while complying with necessary processes, such as public participation, would be between now and May next year.