SA seeks UN probe in Semenya storm

The South African government has asked the United Nations to investigate the "violation of rights" of world 800m champion Caster Semenya, who is at the centre of a public storm over her gender.
"There has been blatant disregard for Miss Semenya's human dignity," women's minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya wrote to the New York-based UN division for the advancement of women earlier this week.
Mayende-Sibiya said Semenya's treatment violated international protocols on women and sport, and that questions over her gender were based on stereotypical views of women and showed the "extent of patriarchy" in the sports world.
"I would therefore like to request that you investigate this matter as it has severe consequences for women participation in sports globally," she said.
A probe into Semenya's sex was announced by the sport's governing body, the IAAF, shortly before the athlete powered to a gold medal in the 800m at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin last month.
A subsequent media frenzy intensified last week amid after an Australian newspaper, citing an unnamed source involved in the tests, reported that they showed the 18-year-old was a hermaphrodite.
"There should be some degree of transparency from the IAAF about the sequence of events that led to Miss Semenya's gender being subjected to such unjustified public scrutiny," Mayende-Sibiya also wrote to the UN.
The IAAF has distanced itself from the reports last week, saying a decision will be made in November on the case.
The drama over Semenya, who is on South Africa's population register as a woman, has enraged the country and drew criticism from President Jacob Zuma, with the ruling ANC calling the reports "offensive and demeaning".
The teenager arrived home to a hero's welcome but has reportedly been traumatised, with her also family upset by the reports.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) boss Leonard Chuene has denied knowledge of local tests, but a former coach who quit over the debacle said the athlete underwent tests before the Berlin championships.