Sports minister Fikile Mbalula gave bonuses to 400m world champion Wayde van Niekerk (R50 000), 200m bronze medallist Anaso Jobodwana, struggling 800m athlete Caster Semenya and wheelchair tennis ace Lucas Sithole (R20 000 each).
While Viljoen was invited to the function, the African record holder said she had not been informed she was receiving any recognition and turned down the invite.
She hit out at Mbalula and the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) on social media for being omitted, after the handover was broadcast live on SABC following a New Age business breakfast.
Mbalula’s spokesperson, Esethu Hasane, said Viljoen would be honoured at a later stage, and Mbalula confirmed she would receive R20 000.
