In an exclusive interview with SABC Sport, Mabilo has spoken publicly for the first time about her leave of absence, the fraud allegations surrounding her former employment at Absa and her subsequent debarment.

Mabilo says her decision to speak out is not about fighting to get her position back at CGA, but rather protecting her name and professional integrity.

She admits that she made an error of judgement by failing to declare her business interests while working in the banking sector.

However, she insists that the situation has been misunderstood and that she wants to correct the narrative surrounding her case.

Mabilo worked at Absa from November 14, 2022, under her former married name, Karabo Thobakgale.

She was subsequently debarred in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act following a determination relating to her employment at the bank.

The matter relates to her failure to declare two companies; one involved in the hair salon business and the other in IT.

Mabilo does not deny that she failed to disclose the companies, but says both businesses were dormant and had never operated.

She also admits that she did not fully understand the possible consequences of failing to declare them.

“I have been working in the banking sector since 2004 and never declared those companies. Obviously, it comes up as dishonesty and ignorance. Did I even think about those companies? No. I acknowledge that I should have declared them, and I cannot lie about the debarment because it is there,” Mabilo said.

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However, she is keen to clarify that being debarred does not mean she is a disqualified director.

A letter from the banking institution, seen by SABC Sport, confirms that the debarment was a regulatory measure and does not amount to a criminal conviction.

The bank also confirmed that, to its knowledge, there were no outstanding claims, complaints or legal matters against her arising from her previous employment.

Mabilo says the letter has given her peace of mind and helped her put some of the allegations into perspective.

“It was a hair salon and an IT business. Those companies were there before my children were born. They never operated and did not have bank accounts. I am not trying too hard to clear my name. I see this as a wake-up call, and I would advise everyone to declare their business interests to avoid finding themselves in a similar situation,” she added.

Despite the controversy, Mabilo, a lawyer by profession insists that she is not walking away from athletics and remains committed to the sport.

“I have to go through the court and review process to remove the debarment. That is the only other way. If tomorrow, I do something else, this matter will come out again.

“I wrote to my previous employer, and they confirmed that there is no criminal conviction and no outstanding matter against me. I am doing this for my integrity. I work with people every day, I have clients, and I want everyone to understand that the narrative out there is not who I am. It will never be me,” she said.

Mabilo maintains that her decision to speak publicly has nothing to do with the ongoing process at CGA or her hopes of being reinstated as president.

For her, the priority is to clear her name, protect her reputation and ensure that the allegations surrounding her former employment do not define her future in athletics.

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