On 22 September 2026, the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission issued a decision in case No. 04/2026, “Allegations surrounding conduct arising from the 2026 African Chess Confederation election activities by ACC/FIDE officials.”
This decision was based on the written documents previously submitted by the parties, as well as the public hearings and the examination of witnesses held on 21 September 2026.
Following its review of the case, the panel decided that Mr. Benard Wanjala is acquitted in respect of the complaint filed against him. At the same time, the Panel finds that Ms. Tshepiso Lopang failed to complete the handover of the ACC administration to Mr. Wanjala and the newly elected administration.
She is therefore found guilty of violations of Articles 6.10, 6.16(a), 6.17(a), 6.25(a) and (b), and 11.6(b). Ms. Lopang is sanctioned with a twelve-month exclusion from holding or exercising any administrative, executive, or representative office position or function in chess at the national, continental, or FIDE level, fully suspended on the condition that Ms. Lopang complete the full and effective handover of the ACC administration to Mr. Wanjala and the newly elected administration within thirty calendar days following notification of this decision. Failing which, the exclusion for a period of 12 months will come into effect commencing from the 31st day.
In accordance with the procedural rules of the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission, the decision comes into force immediately. The reasoning of the decision must be issued within one month, after which the parties will have the right to file appeals in accordance with the established procedure.
The full text of the decision can be found HERE.