Closing out a turbulent week for the organisation, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has suspended a board member for making alleged racist comments.
While the CMA constitution did not allow the board to remove one of itsmembers without calling a special general meeting (SGM), the executive confirmed on Saturday that it had decided to suspend the member pending a disciplinary process.
The CMA, having considered its core responsibilities, which include, among others, accountability, has resolved that the immediate suspension will save the association its limited financial resources which would be expended on calling a special general meeting, more so considering that the annual general meeting (AGM) is five months away, the organisation said in a statement.
Allegations of racismThe suspended board member, who had not been named, had been accused of making racist remarks on a whatsapp group, in an incident which is now being referred to as Vanillagate.
The individual claimed there was an active effort to increase the number of white members of the CMA who would be eligible to vote at the organisations AGM later this year.
