The World Karate Federation (WKF) confirmed that Karate SA (KSA) retains its status as a full member of the global sports organization, despite the suspension of the entire national executive committee's activities. Currently, the management is carried out by interim president Sean Ahmed.
Previously, the publication IOL reported that the WKF temporarily suspended the activities of the KSA national leadership, headed by long-time president Sunny Pillay, and appointed an interim council until the disciplinary proceedings are concluded. This suspension remains in effect.
However, in a letter addressed to the President of SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), Barry Hendrix, which IOL saw on Wednesday, WKF President Antonio Espinosa clarified that this decision is aimed at individuals, not at the federation itself. KSA's membership in the global organization remains untouched.
Espinosa wrote that 'the ongoing procedures in the WKF Disciplinary and Legal Commission concern individual members of the National Executive Committee; these members are temporarily removed from their managerial functions in KSA.' He also emphasized: 'There is no suspension or other sanction against KSA, whereby the membership status of our affiliated National Federation KSA remains unaffected.'
This means that the federation itself retains its place in the WKF, and its athletes retain the right to international participation, but the suspended executive body does not have the authority to manage it. This letter followed a meeting between the WKF and Sascoc held on Tuesday.
Espinosa stated that KSA continues to be a legitimate member of the WKF and the Union of African Karate Federations (Ufak), and that this position is also confirmed at the Sascoc level. He referred to recent Sascoc correspondence confirming that KSA is a 'recognized National Federation in good standing,' and noted that this was reconfirmed by Sascoc at the meeting on Tuesday.
This move effectively rules out the possibility of interpreting the Sascoc letters as support for the suspended leadership. These letters, signed by Sascoc Chief Executive Officer Nozifo Jaftha and addressed to Pillay, were first published by IOL last week and were viewed by some circles as support from the Olympic body for the overthrown leadership.
Espinosa specified that Ahmed, acting 'within the mandate and within the timeframe specified in our letter of June 26,' is responsible for managing KSA. The letter also paved the way for holding national championships this week, which the WKF considers key to maintaining the opportunity for South African athletes to participate internationally.
Espinosa stressed: 'The priority for the WKF is to ensure the protection of South African karate athletes through KSA and its interim president Sean Ahmed.' He added that the interim committee has 'all the necessary powers' to organize championships and register athletes entitled to wear national colors internationally according to Sascoc confirmation.
The WKF Executive Committee decided on the temporary suspension of KSA's leadership on June 24, and the suspension letter was signed by Espinosa at the end of June. The interim council is headed by Ahmed, with members Francois Bornman, Themba Ndlovu, and Belinda Driscoll, and Morgan Moss is appointed as technical coordinator, while an Sascoc representative has not yet been appointed. His 12-month mandate includes reviewing KSA rules and safety practices, as well as conducting new elections.
The law firm Deneys, representing KSA, stated that the suspension letter 'does not disclose the grounds' for this decision and that no factual data regarding the alleged violation was presented. The firm demanded the provision of documents underlying the decision and stated that KSA reserves the right to appeal the decision and submit the matter to the Sports Arbitration Tribunal.
Espinosa assured that the WKF remains committed to working with Sascoc and the Ministry of Sport 'for the ultimate benefit of South African karate athletes.' A copy of the letter was sent to Ufak President Suleiman Gaye, the KSA interim council, and the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture.
The World Cargo Federation (WKF) has decided to temporarily suspend the activities of the entire national leadership of Karate SA and appointed an interim council to manage the federation until the disciplinary proceedings are concluded.
This decision was announced by the world body at the end of June in a letter signed by its president, Antonio Espinosa. The basis for this decision was a report prepared by two senior WKF officials who conducted an inspection of the state of cargo in South Africa.
The WKF is the global governing body for cargo and the only cargo federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee. National federations, such as KSA, are members of the WKF and are obliged to comply with its statutes, which grant the world body the authority to take disciplinary action against its affiliated structures.
The leaders whose activities have been suspended will now face disciplinary hearings before the WKF's disciplinary and legal commission. Although the report underlying this decision has not been made public, and the letter does not contain specific accusations, the report was compiled by two appointed members—Sulaiman Ghai and Bechir Cherif.
Sulaiman Ghai is the president of the African Cargo Federation (UFAK), and Bechir Cherif is the Vice President of the WKF. The letter states that the WKF executive committee decided to initiate disciplinary procedures against members of the KSA national executive committee based on a report submitted in May.
Currently, all members of the incumbent KSA national executive committee are under temporary suspension. To restore the proper functioning of KSA and hold democratic elections for a new council, the WKF is appointing an interim council.
This suspension occurred months after KSA presented its annual report and financial statements to the parliamentary committee on sport, art, and culture in March, where it was questioned about finances and management.
Cargo SA has a long history of instability, including internal conflicts and legal disputes that have accompanied the federation for over ten years under the long-serving president Sunny Pillay. The interim council is headed by Sean Ahmed, and its members include Francois Bornman, Themba Ndlovu, and Belinda Driscoll, with Morgan Moss serving as technical coordinator, and a representative from SASCOC yet to be appointed.
The interim council, which has a term of up to 12 months, is responsible for reviewing KSA's rules, membership requirements, and protection practices, as well as preparing and conducting new elections. However, the suspended leadership contests this decision. The law firm Deneys, representing KSA, objected to the suspension and the appointment of the interim council in a letter last Wednesday, stating there were no grounds or evidence whatsoever.
The firm stated that the suspension letter does not disclose the basis for the decision made by the WKF executive committee on June 24, 2026, and specifically does not indicate the factual basis of the alleged violation. Furthermore, a copy of the report was not provided to the client, nor was the client given the opportunity to review or respond to it. Lawyers also noted that the protocols, written resolutions, attendance lists, or voting records of the WKF meeting that made this decision were not provided.
They argue that the world body violated its own statutes guaranteeing the accused party the right to defense before disciplinary action is taken. The firm also refers to Article 5.2 of the WKF statutes, which requires that members of the national federation's executive committee be elected democratically and prohibits external bodies from appointing such members, which they believe contradicts Article 5.2 and violates the WKF statutes.
The lawyers officially challenge the temporary suspension of the national executive committee, the appointment or purported appointment of any interim council, and the process followed by the WKF executive committee in making these decisions. The firm demanded the documents supporting the decision within three days and a substantive response by the end of the business day on Monday, stating that KSA reserves the right to appeal and refer the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Meanwhile, the interim committee has begun its work. On Friday, it reported that it requested official handover of affairs from the suspended leadership after the SA Open championship and the Protea awards ceremony, which will take place as planned. The committee stated that this approach aims to ensure continuity, stability, and uninterrupted participation of athletes.
The committee also requested an urgent meeting with SASCOC to discuss its recognition and the consequences for athletes if recognition is not formalized before the upcoming UFAK championships. It also requested recommendations regarding the application for Protea colors for athletes selected to represent South Africa at these championships. Members of the interim committee stated that they undertake this responsibility with the common goal of serving the best interests of athletes and the cargo community, adhering to integrity, transparency, and accountability.
