The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced that it has suspended the accreditation of Africa’s only accredited anti-doping laboratory from March 1, due to what he terms as  “multiple non-compliance’s” to meet international standards. 

In a statement, WADA said it had suspended the accreditation of the South African Anti-Doping Laboratory in Bloemfontein for up to six months.

The Bloemfontein Laboratory had already been placed under some restrictions in September last year, while other anti-doping activities were allowed to continue.

WADA said the bloemfontein laboratory had accepted the suspension. 

“The suspension … prohibits the laboratory from conducting any anti-doping activities, including the analysis of urine and blood samples, with the exception of analyses related to the haematology module of the athlete biological passport,” WADA said in a statement.

WADA said the laboratory will be allowed to apply for reinstatement once it has demonstrated that all identified “non-conformities” have been addressed.

As a result, testing must be conducted at another accredited laboratory during the suspension period. 

This sanction comes at a time when WADA is implementing the athlete engagement and Anti-Doping legacy programmes at the 2023 African games to promote clean sport during the 2023 African games in accra, Ghana later this month.