The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), the controlling body for all high performance sport in South Africa, has suspended Athletics Soutth Africa's (ASA) president Leonard Chuene, the Board of ASA and its members, with immediate effect, pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation and further action over their handling of the Caster Semenya saga.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Sascoc said it is also considering taking appropriate action against the IAAF for its disregard of Semenya's rights to privacy, following speculation over her gender.

Semenya won the women's 800m title at the World Championships in Berlin in August, but reports have said that she underwent a gender test and Chuene later admitted to lying about the results.

At a Special Board meeting of Sascoc, called for the purpose of considering the report of the Sascoc Legal and Arbitration Commission into the handling of Semenya, the Board resolved unanimously to accept the recommendations made by the Sascoc Legal and Arbitration Commission.

The recommendations include Chuene being suspended with immediate effect as well as ASA's vice-president Kakata Maponyane, general manager Molatelo Malehopo, events manager Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane, the board of ASA and its members and Chuene's personal assistant, Humile Bogatsu, be suspended immediately, pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation and further action.

Sascoc are still considering taking appropriate action against the IAAF for its disregard of Semenya's rights to privacy.

Meanwhile, Sascoc Board Member Ray Mali has been appointed as administrator of ASA and will convene an urgent meeting of the Council of ASA (excluding the suspended individuals) and elect an Interim Board of ASA pending the outcome of the disciplinary enquiry.

The suspended individuals will appear before a disciplinary enquiry to answer charges of bringing ASA, the sport of athletics, Sascoc and sport in general into disrepute.