Showdown at CMA meeting

Organisation is bedevilled by allegations of capture and racial tension’.

- Chris Ndaliso

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) faces a showdown tomorrow as calls for reform to the marshalling and voting systems gain momentum, amid allegations of capture and racial tension within the organisation.

There are increasing demands for the voting process to incorporate technology, allowing more members, particularly athletes, to have a greater say in the association's decisions.

CMA president Mqondisi Ngcobo said there was a special general meeting of CMA members to deal with these issues, so the association was not in a position to comment.

The agenda for the special general meeting includes addressing calls for reform, as well as investigating allegations of racism, vote manipulation and community marshal manipulation.

Proposed constitutional changes will also be discussed, particularly the use of technological platforms to enable broader member participation in the voting process.

The meeting will further seek clarity on the employment of senior official Ann Ashworth and the process for filling new positions.

In addition to these operational challenges, the CMA has been rocked by allegations of vote rigging and lack of process accountability within its community marshal programme.