Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula yesterday called on factions in the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee to set aside their differences.

"South Africa wants medals not muffins," Mbalula told the Sascoc board.

"We would like to register our concern at the wrangling in the media about the approaching Sascoc elective conference.

"We are disappointed that people choose to use the media to fight their personal battles when it comes to organisational and leadership questions," he said.

"We call on everyone in Sascoc and elsewhere to concentrate on the coming Olympic Games in London."

Media reports of in-fighting at Sascoc were worrying and he wanted to understand the issues involved so they could be addressed.

"No-go areas" and "untouchables" should not be tolerated in South African sport, Mbalula told the board.

Sascoc president Gideon Sam said if there were allegations of corruption or maladministration they would be dealt with.

Mbalula said there was an "urgent need to run the confederation, federations and sport - in all its facets - transparently, openly, fairly and democratically".

"We will use all means within our own regulations and the constitutional framework to root out crime and corruption as well as maladministration in sport, even if it means . attending court cases."

Mbalula lamented South African sports teams' poor performances at international competitions in 2011 and said he had requested a meeting with the SA Football Association after the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying debacle.