Former chief executive Tubby Reddy and fellow employees Vinesh Maharaj and Jean Kelly were sacked from their posts last month, following a lengthy disciplinary process.

The trio's departure followed a formal investigation which was established to investigate four allegations, including the "sudden changes to SASCOC's security service" and the "alleged involvement of staff in irregular governance activities".

Allegations also included a claim of sexual harassment made against Reddy, as well as "awareness of the so-called SS Griffin Report on the alleged bugging/tapping of phones and office communication".

Sam admitted the organisation was in a "state of flux" at the organisation's General Assembly, which took place six months later than planned.

"You will all no doubt be patently aware of the boardroom goings-on in Olympic House over the last year," he said.

"I have said time and again that good governance is non-negotiable and that goes for every facet of life.

"The decision taken in January this year to dismiss three long-serving SASCOC employees was no knee-jerk reaction.

"It came after months and months of thorough investigation and deliberation, from all angles.

"As I've said, this was not a decision taken lightly.

"It was made after extensive legal investigation, research and long hard and honest hours of discussion at board level.

"Again, when it comes to conflict resolution I've always urged our federations to sort things out amongst themselves before rushing to court and incurring expensive legal fees and the like and from my side I think we have done our utmost to sort this matter out with the minimum of fuss and the utmost decorum for everyone concerned."

The dismissal of Reddy, Mahraj and Kelly has not come without controversy, with the trio publishing an open letter last month where they alleged conflicts of interest, racism and violations against the organisation's constitution.

It was revealed that Reddy had submitted more than 700 pages of documents to the chairperson of an inquiry into allegations of misconduct at the national governing body.

The Ministerial Committees of Inquiry was established by South Africa's Sports Minister Thembelani Nxesi in August, at a time when Reddy was suspended following allegations of sexual misconduct.

The inquiry is being led by Judge Ralph Zulman with the support of Ali Bacher and Shamina Gaibie.

It will cover the allegations against Reddy but will mainly concentrate on claims of poor governance, financial mismanagement and non-adherence to the SASCOC constitution.

Sam has expressed his hope SASCOC will be able to move on from the case following the inquiry.

Nxesi was present at the General Assembly and claimed the organisation needed to start reaching a collective view on several issues, as well as inviting delegates to participate in the review.

"We need to discuss the proposition that we may well be delivering sport in an ill-defined environment characterised by inaccessibility, inequality and low participation rates," Nxesi said.

"SASCOC performs crucial functions for sport in the country bestowed and delegated to it in terms of the National Sport and Recreation Amendment.

"Sport and Recreation South Africa and SASCOC have a joint interest in the well-being of sport.

"We were able to clarify and address our respective concerns and find each other.

"The meeting agreed that the Zulman Ministerial Committee of Inquiry was the best platform to address any governance challenges being experienced by SASCOC - in the collective belief that good governance is critical to delivering excellence in sport."

Nxesi also expressed concerns over the make-up of teams that represent South Africa at international sporting events.

He claimed that progress had been slow in some sports, asserting he hoped "further improvement" would be made.

It followed Nxesi stating that more than 70 per cent of South Africa's Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games team were white, dropping to 60 per cent at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

"This is about the national image of the country and the credibility of Team South Africa," he said.

"It is about the political impact of the optics: people see an overwhelmingly white delegation to an international event, and questions are asked in Parliament - and we have to explain why development and transformation is so slow."

Sam also reflected on South Africa being stripped of hosting rights of the 2022 Commonwealth Games last March, following a lack of financial assurances.

Durban was replaced by English city Birmingham in December.

South Africa also missed out on hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup, despite being recommended by the World Rugby Council.

France were ultimately selected in a shock vote, with South Africa and Ireland ending empty handed.

"The 2022 Games was an event which I was so confident we had firmly in our grasp but sadly the economic climate in the country made it impossible to carry on with what we firmly believed would have been a wonderful opportunity for our athletes to showcase their talents in front of their home crowd as well as the 2023 Rugby World Cup," said Sam.