Mamabolo finally cleared

Ludwick Mamabola was confirmed as the winner of the 2012 Comrades Marathon on Tuesday when judgment was given on the alleged doping charges following last year's down run from Peitermaritzburg to Durban.

The Johannesburg-based runner was heralded a hero for his South African victory, the first since 2005, on 3 June last year, but only days later was accused of cheating by taking a banned stimulant. 

Yesterday (Tuesday 30 April) the 36-year-old was declared not guilty of the charges of having traces of a stimulant in his urine and the judgment went on to declare Mamabola’s samples as void.   

The case against Mamabola has lasted 11 months with the first hearing held early December where under cross examination the evidence given by doping control officers working for South African Institute for Drug Free Sports (SAIDS) revealed at least 14 material contraventions of the sampling processes. 

The defense brought into question the qualification and method of appointment of doping control officers and uncovered that officials had signed forms to confirm actions they had not witnessed. In at least one case an official signed a blank athlete log sheet.

In an unprecedented move Mamabola was allowed to return to competitive running in February this year in order that he could earn an income and prepare for the 2013 Comrades.  This was the first time that any South African athlete has been allowed back into competition prior to the finalization of the doping case against him.

It has been estimated that Mamabola’s legal costs over the past year would have exceeded R1.2 million had Johannesburg based attorney, Trevor Boswell of Werksmans, not offered to take the case on pro bono. 

The Bedfordview athlete is a confirmed entrant for the 88th Comrades Marathon ‘Up Run’ on Sunday 2 June.

(File photo: Gallo Images)

- Norrie Williamson

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