MSSA in Internal Spat Over Women's Desk

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is currently at loggerheads with one of its clubs, Club Xploit, and its head, Ria Venter, after Venter appears to have been voted onto the MSSA Women’s Desk. Subsequently, Club Xploit appears to have been suspended by the MSSA.

The events are complicated and detailed, but from what Do Gaming has learnt, the MSSA had an executive meeting on 9 November 2009 where, amongst other things, Venter was voted onto the Women’s Desk. The Women's desk has a number of responsibilities including the promotion of women's activities in all MSSA disciplines.

In a meeting last night (Tuesday), a decision was taken by the executive committee to re-vote on the issue of the women's desk. David Vannucci, MSSA Vice President, says that the invalid votes that were counted in the previous meeting and recorded in the minutes were removed, which resulted in 11 eligible votes.

Vannucci could not recall the breakdown of the votes but said it was inconclusive. As a result, they will have to re-vote at the next executive committee meeting. That will take place after the Annual General Meeting, which is on Sunday, and a date will be set by Colin Webster, MSSA President when he returns.

Minutes of the meeting of 9 November 2009 declare Venter the winner after she, Mildred Diale and Innocentia Motsumi (both from the UJ club), stood for the post. Venter was declared the winner with nine votes and Diale received seven votes with Motsumi receiving none.

Colin Webster, MSSA President, refused for the most part to comment on the situation earlier this week, saying he was bound by a SASCOC letter of undertaking he had signed not to discuss such matters.

However, Webster confirmed to Do Gaming which clubs and members of their structures were entitled to vote for the Women’s Desk along with the votes of the President, two Vice Presidents and the Secretary.

While it appears that everyone who was at the 9 November meeting or proxy votes were counted in the vote for the Women’s Desk, a number of those votes are invalid because MSSA heads of board’s of control are in fact not allowed to vote on the matter and some of the clubs who voted were not paid up members of the MSSA. Webster confirmed that this is the case and these votes had not been counted. He would, however, not comment on the vote, saying the minutes and therefore the decision had to be ratified. This was what was discussed in Tuesday night's meeting.

Why was Club Xploit Suspended?

Subsequent to the 9 November meeting, it appears that Venter’s club, Club Xploit has been suspended by the MSSA. Once again Webster would not discuss the matter.

However, it has come to Do Gaming’s attention that Venter has asked a number of questions of the MSSA, namely what the MSSA will do in the next year to:

• Change its image within the community.
  
• Promote e-Sports within South Africa.
  
• Obtain funding for such activities.
  
• Address public opinion of the MSSA.

• A strategic/business plan for the year ahead.
  
• The name of the MSSA’s auditors.
  
• Two years of financial statements to be made available to all members.
  
• Minutes from all the meetings of the MSSA Council, Executive Committee and Management board for the last two years.
  
• A detailed breakdown of how the Incredible Connection Sponsorship money was allocated by the MSSA.
  
• A list of all MSSA members, including those who had paid their membership fees and those who had not.

• Venter Challenges MSSA Suspension
  
• MSSA Responds on Venter Dispute
  
• MSSA Confirm Venter Suspension
  
• Why Venter’s Taking on the MSSA