Sascoc allegations are ‘ridiculous’, says Reddy lawyer

Tubby Reddy’s lawyer has hit out at the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), claiming allegations against the under-fire administrator are “ridiculous” and he maintains his innocence.

The Olympic body confirmed yesterday that Reddy, the organisation’s chief executive, had been suspended for 30 days with full pay.

“We will be challenging all the accusations against Tubby, especially the ridiculous allegations of sexual harassment,” said Reddy’s legal representative, Dev Maharaj.

The charge was apparently related to a form of communication which was sent to an employee in 2011, though Maharah claimed he had yet to see the evidence.

Sascoc revealed that Reddy had declared a dispute with the board for “unfair treatment and process” regarding the allegations.

“The Sascoc board will ensure that the investigation is concluded within 30 days… by then, the investigation which led to his suspension should have been completed,” Sascoc said.

“In consultation with Sascoc’s lawyers, the board resolved that an external firm will be appointed to handle the process of investigation.”

The Sascoc board had opted in May to divert the sexual harassment claims, made by one of the organisation’s department managers, to an independent panel which reported back to the executive committee with recommendations.

While Reddy faced other allegations in relation to operational issues, these were also denied.

“My client is alleged to have had operational problems with the complainant’s work ethic which are so general that they lack particularity but will nevertheless be challenged to the extent that they relate to misconduct on my client’s part.”

The allegations had taken a bizarre turn after the staff member claimed her email account had been hacked.

In a mail issued to the media from the staffer’s Sascoc address, it was alleged that the harassment claims had formed part of an orchestrated move by the Olympic body’s president, Gideon Sam, to oust Reddy.

The staffer later stated she had not sent the mail, and the charges were not withdrawn.

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