🔍 KZNA Governance Under Steve Mkasi — Investigative Report

Report Compiled via Hermes Agent. Whilst every effort has been made to check facts, artificial intelligence sometimes makes errors that might not have been picked up in the report.

1. Executive Summary

Steve Mkasi was re-elected as President of KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) on 14 June 2025 with 36 of 95 votes (37.9%) — a plurality in a 5-way split. 62% of voting clubs voted against him. His tenure has been marked by:

• Three High Court defeats on a “locals only” CMA membership ruling
• Approximately R500,000 in legal expenditure without council approval
• An unpaid R386,000 costs order from 2015 against Phuma AC, the club he co-founded and controlled
• Multiple threats to cancel the Comrades Marathon
• A final High Court hearing scheduled for 22 July 2026 that could bankrupt KZNA
• A physical altercation with an athlete on 13 July 2026
• A documented pattern of workplace intimidation spanning two prior employers, including an assault charge, three misconduct charges, and a resignation ahead of a disciplinary hearing

2. Workplace Intimidation History

Mkasi’s conduct at KZNA follows a documented pattern from two prior senior public-sector roles. In both cases, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him — and in both cases, he avoided a hearing on the merits through procedural tactics or resignation.

eThekwini Municipality — Head: Mayoral Parlour (Prior to 2017)

Item	Detail
Role	Head: Mayoral Parlour
Allegations	Irregularities linked to catering supply chain management
Investigation	The city’s Integrity and Investigations Unit recommended disciplinary proceedings
Outcome	Mkasi resigned before his pre-dismissal hearing could take place
Source	Sunday Tribune investigation, 4 August 2019; Municipality spokesperson: “This query is regarding a previous employee. Therefore, we cannot comment.”

KZN Department of Health — Chief Director: Legal Services (2017–?)

Item	Detail
Role	Chief Director: Legal Services (hired 2017)
Staff grievances	Within 5 months of his arrival, staff drafted grievances citing intimidation, abuse of power, and sexual harassment
Charge 1	Assault or attempted assault on Mr Chambers, a colleague — allegedly occurred 15 September 2017 at their workplace
Charge 2	Threatening an alleged witness to the incident
Charge 3	Summoning employees, interrogating them, and instilling fear in them; interfering with a witness; “resorting to bullying, disrespecting, using derogatory gestures and words” towards employees under his supervision
Labour Court interdict	Case D657/2019: Mkasi obtained an urgent interdict to pause the disciplinary hearing pending a review of the chairperson’s procedural ruling. Judgment delivered 31 May 2019 by Cele J.
Basis of interdict	A procedural technicality — the chairperson had not ruled on whether the employer waived its right to discipline by delaying charges for 8 months after suspension. The court found Mkasi had an “arguable case” and granted the interdict to preserve the status quo.
Merits	The three misconduct charges have never been tested on their merits. Mkasi’s attorney claimed 12 witnesses were called but “couldn’t prove anything.” The interdict stopped the process; it is not a finding of innocence.
Job application issues	On his KZN Health application, Mkasi: (a) marked “No” to ever being found guilty of a criminal offence — but added “But paid an admission of guilt fine”; (b) marked “No” to having resigned after fraud/corruption allegations; (c) lacked the minimum 5 years senior managerial experience in a legal environment required for the Chief Director post
Sources	Labour Court judgment D657/2019 (31 May 2019); Sunday Tribune, 4 August 2019

Pattern

The pattern is consistent: when facing disciplinary action, Mkasi uses procedural challenges to stall or avoid hearings on the merits. At eThekwini he resigned before the hearing. At KZN Health he obtained a court interdict on a technicality — the charges remain unresolved six years after the alleged assault. He remains employed at KZN Health while simultaneously serving as KZNA President.

3. Mkasi’s Power-Retention Tactics

✅ Documented Facts

#	Tactic	Evidence
1	13-hour meeting exhaustion	QGM ran 09:00–22:12. Only 95 of 148 clubs remained to vote. Voting began ~16:00 after 7 hours of credential disputes.
2	46+ clubs disenfranchised	Credential deadline excluded clubs. 114 voted 95-19 to keep them excluded. Phantane, Hollywood, Maxed Elite, Kearsney Striders locked out.
3	Club data leaked for campaigning	KZNA Circular 46 (3 Jun 2025): clubs complained nominee info shared with external parties without consent.
4	Skipping presidential report adoption	Vice President Mngomezulu ruled no adoption needed. Highway AC forced it, citing the constitution.
5	~R500k legal spend without approval	R218k by end 2024, R250k provisioned for 2025. Never brought to council. KZNA constitution requires council approval for items over R200k (Clause 14.2.31).
6	R386k unpaid costs order	Phuma AC (club Mkasi co-founded and controlled) vs KZNA 2015. Lost. Costs order never paid. Mkasi is now KZNA President. His own attorney (Maclaw, 25 Jun 2025): Mkasi was “the controlling mind behind the losing litigation and the same controlling mind who took no steps to ensure his club repaid the debt.”
7	“Locals only” CMA ruling	7 Aug 2024: KZNA board resolved CMA membership limited to KZN-domiciled. Non-KZN members become voiceless “volunteers”.
8	Three High Court defeats	Aug 2024, Oct 2024, Feb 2025 — all ruled against KZNA. Interim interdicts granted to CMA members.
9	Threatened to cancel Comrades	After Aug 2024 ruling, Mkasi told Mark Leathers: “If these are the games you want to play… then the race next year will not happen.”
10	July 2026 cease-and-desist	Deneys attorneys letter (7 Jul 2026) threatening 2027 Comrades cancellation. Notably, the same attorney (Sandile Khoza) represents Mkasi personally in his defamation claim against Stuart Mann. CMA responded 8 Jul 2026 — ASA had already approved the 2027/2028 race dates at national level.
11	CMA breakaway blocked	CMA members voted 2 Dec 2025 to withdraw from KZNA and seek direct ASA affiliation. KZNA (letter signed by Mkasi, 3 Dec 2025) opposes, claiming it “cannot and should not” happen. KZNA escalated to the provincial Department of Sport and KZN Sports Confederation.
12	Physical altercation	13 Jul 2026: Mkasi allegedly stalked, called, confronted, and fought athlete Sphephelo Ndlovu over a Facebook comment. Video + audio exist. Ama Ravens founder demanded resignation within 3 days.
13	SPAM-filtering of official comms	Clyde Kinloch (club chair): KZNA emails consistently land in SPAM/blocked by company servers. Clubs learn of meetings via third parties.
14	Insists on in-person meetings	Burdensome for rural/Pongola clubs. QGM held at Westville Correctional Services — full-day commitment.
15	Selective constitutional quoting	Cited Clause 2.3 (autonomy) to justify legal spend. Ignored 14.2.31 (R200k council approval threshold).
16	Mandela Marathon held hostage	Clubs must withdraw court case for the race to proceed; race funds to be used to pay legal fees incurred by the clubs.
17	KZNA funds used for personal legal battles	Board decision to represent KZNA in Mokoena’s challenge — fighting a presidential candidate who opposed Mkasi. Mkasi also personally funds his defamation claim against Stuart Mann via the same law firm (Norton Rose Fulbright / Deneys), raising questions about the boundaries between personal and KZNA litigation.
18	CMA members reduced to “volunteers”	Resolution strips non-KZN members of voting/speaking rights, reclassifies them as second-class observers.
19	Plurality win, not a mandate	36/95 votes. 62% voted against him. Won on a 5-way split.
20	Workplace intimidation pattern	Two prior employers initiated disciplinary proceedings — assault, intimidation, supply chain irregularities. Both avoided on technicalities, not merits. See Section 2 above.

⚠️ Reasoned Inference (Not Definitively Proven)

#	Tactic	Basis
1	Candidate proliferation to split opposition	5 candidates split anti-Mkasi vote. 62% opposed him but he won with 36. No direct evidence he orchestrated it.
2	Credential deadline as targeted disenfranchisement	46+ clubs excluded. Effect: removed large clubs likely to oppose him. Intent unproven but outcome clear.
3	Attrition through meeting duration	13-hour meeting ensures only the most organised/determined delegates remain — favours coordinated slates.
4	ASA protection from John Mathane	Running Mann reports Mkasi “well liked and protected by acting ASA president.” Plausible given survival despite scandals.
5	Personal debt as leverage	Unpaid R386k debt to KZNA (via Phuma AC). He may be fighting to stay in power partly to avoid pressure for recovery. His own attorney confirms he took no steps to ensure repayment.
6	CMA takeover as power/asset grab	“Locals only” ruling would have given Mkasi/KZNA control over CMA board — worth ~R500k in legal fees to pursue.
7	“Stalingrad tactics”	Characterisation by colleague: procedural warfare, credential disputes, marathon meetings, in-person requirements — all function as attrition. The workplace history (Section 2) shows this is a lifelong pattern, not situational.

4. The Court Case — Case 993/25P

Item	Detail
Court	Pietermaritzburg High Court, KZN Division
Applicants	63 CMA Members (led by Mark Leathers, attorney)
First Respondent	Comrades Marathon Association (CMA)
Second Respondent	KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) — Steve Mkasi
Final Hearing	22 July 2026, 09:30
Relief Sought	Review and set aside the “locals only” resolution; declare CMA not a “club” under KZNA constitution; declare domicile rule doesn’t apply to CMA members; costs against KZNA
KZNA’s Defense	Resolution was mere “advice”; no privity of contract; not administrative action under PAJA; application “prima facie vexatious”
Costs Risk	Running Mann: “A costs order would possibly bankrupt KZNA”

Key observation: KZNA’s defense is entirely procedural. They do not defend the resolution on its merits.

5. Club Faction Lines

🔴 Opposition to Mkasi (Documented)

Club	Evidence
Zabalaza AC	Sello Mokoena — former KZNA president, seconded dissolution motion, challenged Mkasi repeatedly. Presidential candidate (24 votes)
KZN Striders AC	W Vermaak moved to dissolve the Executive Board immediately; demanded legal cost disclosure
Savages AC	Dave Williams asked about court case outcomes. Stuart Mann: “Dave will tell you that Mkazi dominates, leads and manipulates all these meetings.” Visited KZNA office to check invoices
Westville AC	Visited KZNA office to check legal invoices alongside Savages
Highway AC	H Clarkson forced adoption of President’s report; questioned doubling of refreshment costs; demanded assurance of no further legal fees
Sydenham AC	A Johannes challenged voter roll exclusion: “All clubs should be allowed to vote today”
Natal Carbineers	I Kerford challenged auditors’ role
Ama Ravens AC	Founder Mthoko Khuzwayo demanded Mkasi resign within 3 days after altercation

🟢 Support for Mkasi (Documented)

Club	Evidence
Phuma AC	Mkasi’s own club (co-founder). Took KZNA to court in 2015 — lost, R386k unpaid
Saints AC	Moved counter-motion to keep board; moved adoption of financials
Genius AC	Seconded counter-motion to keep board
Qhakaza AC	Seconded adoption of President’s report
DUT AC	Seconded anti-auditor retention motion
Harambe 2040 AC	Backed exclusion of late clubs from voter roll

🟡 Disenfranchised (Excluded from Voting)

Phantane AC, Hollywood AC, Maxed Elite Running Club, Kearsney Striders — plus 40+ other clubs that missed the 6 June 2025 credential deadline.

⚪ Neutral / Walked Out

Approximately 26 clubs walked out during the 7-hour credential dispute before voting began. Clyde Kinloch’s club is prioritising school athletics over KZNA politics.

6. Key Individuals

Person	Role / Affiliation
Mark Leathers	Attorney (Mc Naught & Co), CMA member. Leading High Court case. 63 CMA members joined as applicants
Sello Mokoena	Former KZNA President, Zabalaza AC. Defeated by Mkasi (24 votes). Had to sue to stay on ASA ballot
Chris White	Pietermaritzburg coach. Presidential candidate (17 votes)
Mandla Mngomezulu	Former KZNA VP, Xcel Running Club. Presidential candidate (17 votes)
Charles Morton	BizMentor. Circulating cessation proposal — CMA should break away from KZNA
Stuart Mann	The Running Mann. Primary chronicler of Mkasi’s conduct. Published cease-and-desist PDFs. Currently facing a defamation claim from Mkasi — personally funded by Mkasi via Sandile Khoza (Norton Rose Fulbright / Deneys)
Mthoko Khuzwayo	Founder, Ama Ravens AC. Demanded Mkasi resign after altercation
Sphephelo Ndlovu	Ama Ravens athlete. Allegedly assaulted by Mkasi on 13 July 2026
John Mathane	Acting ASA President. Reportedly protects Mkasi (per Running Mann)
Sandile Khoza	Director, Norton Rose Fulbright (now Deneys). Represents Mkasi personally in defamation claim AND represents KZNA in the Comrades cease-and-desist. Same law firm, same director — blurring the line between personal and institutional litigation.

7. Timeline

Date	Event
2015	Phuma AC vs KZNA — Mkasi loses, R386k costs order issued. Never paid
2017	Mkasi hired as Chief Director: Legal Services, KZN Department of Health
15 Sep 2017	Mkasi allegedly assaults colleague Mr Chambers at KZN Health workplace
~2017	Resigns from eThekwini Municipality ahead of disciplinary hearing for supply chain irregularities
May 2018	KZN Health serves Mkasi with three misconduct charges (assault, witness intimidation, bullying)
31 May 2019	Labour Court (Case D657/2019) grants Mkasi interdict to pause disciplinary hearing — procedural technicality. Charges never tested on merits.
4 Aug 2019	Sunday Tribune publishes exposé: “Battle lines drawn in KZN Health’s legal unit”
2021	Mkasi elected KZNA President
25 Jul 2024	KZNA board meeting: “locals only” CMA membership resolution proposed
7 Aug 2024	KZNA Executive Board passes resolution — CMA membership limited to KZN-domiciled
12 Aug 2024	KZNA issues 11th-hour decree: non-KZN CMA members prohibited from speaking/voting at CMA SGM
14 Aug 2024	High Court grants urgent interdict against KZNA. Mkasi tells Leathers Comrades won’t happen
23 Oct 2024	Second High Court defeat — Acting Justice Khuzwayo rules for CMA members
20 Feb 2025	Third High Court victory for CMA members
14 Jun 2025	KZNA QGM — Mkasi re-elected with 36 votes. 62% voted against him
25–26 Jun 2025	Mkasi (via Sandile Khoza, Norton Rose Fulbright) sends defamation demand to Stuart Mann over Phuma AC article. Mann’s attorney (Mark Leathers, Maclaw) pushes back.
27 Jun 2025	Running Mann publishes “Another Day, Another Lawsuit”
27 Nov 2025	ASA national road running chair (Enoch Skosana) approves 2027 and 2028 Comrades race dates
29 Nov 2025	CMA AGM — members vote to withdraw from KZNA and seek direct ASA affiliation
2 Dec 2025	CMA notifies KZNA of withdrawal resolution
3 Dec 2025	KZNA (letter signed by Mkasi) opposes CMA direct affiliation to ASA
15 Jun 2026	KZNA files for leave to supplement papers with new Mkasi affidavit
7 Jul 2026	Deneys (Sandile Khoza — same attorney) sends cease-and-desist to CMA threatening 2027 cancellation. Omits that ASA already approved the dates.
8 Jul 2026	CMA responds — ASA approved dates at national level; CMA never claimed KZNA sanction
10 Jul 2026	KZNA Circular 57 — notice of Special General Meeting
13 Jul 2026	Mkasi allegedly assaults athlete Sphephelo Ndlovu. Resignation demanded
22 Jul 2026	Final High Court hearing — costs order expected against KZNA

8. Sources

• KZNA QGM Minutes (14 June 2025) — official document
• KZNA Circular 46 (3 June 2025) — 2025 Elections
• KZNA Circular 48 (17 June 2025) — QGM Results
• KZNA Circular 57 (10 July 2026) — SGM Notice + 17 supporting documents
• High Court Case 993/25P — Complete Bundle (1,183 pages, filed 25 June 2026)
• Labour Court Case D657/2019 — Mkasi vs KZN Dept of Health (judgment 31 May 2019)
• Sunday Tribune — “Battle lines drawn in KZN Health’s legal unit” (4 August 2019)
• CMA withdrawal correspondence: 2 Dec 2025, 3 Dec 2025, 7 Jul 2026, 8 Jul 2026
• ASA national road running approval: Enoch Skosana letter, 27 November 2025
• Mkasi-Mann defamation correspondence: Maclaw / Norton Rose Fulbright (25–26 June 2025)
• The Running Mann (Stuart Mann) — articles: 10 Jul 2026, 13 Jul 2026, 27 Jun 2025, 23 Oct 2024, 7 Nov 2024
• SABC Sport — Mkasi re-election coverage
• MDN TV — Altercation report (13 Jul 2026)
• Email correspondence: Stuart Mann, Charles Morton, Clyde Kinloch (Jul 2026)

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This report was compiled using Hermes Agent from official KZNA documents, court records, published journalism and corroborated eyewitness accounts. All factual claims are sourced. Speculation is clearly marked.

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