Swimming South Africa (SSA) has lodged an urgent court application to block the newly established South African Water Polo (SAWP) from operating independently.
Filed at the Western Cape High Court, the application seeks to interdict and restrain SAWP, a breakaway organisation formed by disillusioned members of the water polo community.
SSA argues that it remains the only recognised national body for aquatics in South Africa, responsible for swimming, diving, artistic swimming, and water polo. The federation claims SAWP’s establishment violates the Sports and Recreation Act, its own constitution, and the constitutions of both Sascoc and the International Olympic Committee.
Last week, SSA issued a cease and desist letter demanding SAWP remove public communications asserting its intent to govern water polo in South Africa. The letter was ignored, prompting SSA to take legal action against 14 respondents, including SAWP’s interim CEO Robbie Taylor, Cape Town Water Polo chair Duncan Woods, Nelson Mandela Bay Water Polo chair Sieg Lokotsch, and former national team coach Delaine Mentoor.
Although SAWP maintains it wants to work with SSA, its founding documents clearly state that if cooperation isn’t possible, it will “take the sport forward.” Citing widespread dissatisfaction, SAWP claims backing from most regional chairs and Masters water polo, insisting that the sport is stagnant under SSA’s leadership—especially in development and high-performance structures.
SSA CEO Shaun Adriaanse has strongly refuted the legitimacy of SAWP, stating the organisation is misleading athletes and stakeholders. He warned that SAWP’s fundraising efforts and promises of international competition are unfounded, calling the group a “toothless entity” without recognition from Sascoc or World Aquatics.
World Aquatics does permit multiple governing bodies in exceptional cases, but Adriaanse argues this clause is not applicable to South Africa. He asserts SSA’s continued recognition by both Sascoc and World Aquatics precludes any new federation from assuming control.
SSA is pushing for an urgent hearing before 2 April, citing the confusion and reputational damage caused by SAWP’s communications. The organisation fears that SAWP’s actions could jeopardise its standing with World Aquatics.
Despite this, SAWP reportedly welcomes the court proceedings, seeing them as an opportunity to hold SSA’s management accountable and bring long-standing governance issues to light.
The information in this article is attributed to the work of Keanan Hemmonsbey and The Daily Maverick.