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Haroon Lorgat.
(Sydney Seshibedi / Gallo Images)
The decision of Cricket South Africa (CSA) The Council of Members to not order the interim board that was presented by Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa has plunged the organization into an administrative crisis once again.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Council of Members confirmed that the decision to oppose the interim board was due “to a breakdown in the relationship between the Council of Members and the proposed interim Board.”
The nine-person interim board, including former CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat, met after the old board resigned en masse under pressure from the government.
However, the Council of Members remains, and the fact that Lorgat is on the interim board is a major cause for concern.
In a statement Thursday, the interim board expressed dissatisfaction with the decision.
“The Board is receiving a letter from the Council of Members, dated November 11, 2020.” the statement read.
“That letter raised several issues about the way the Board was constituted and about conflicts of interest in relation to an interim Board member, Mr. Haroon Lorgat.
Both matters were addressed in a meeting between the Board, the Council of Members and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. Nathi Mthethwa, on Sunday 8 November 2020.
“The Board considered that the matters were resolved.
Regrettably, by refusing to confirm our mandate, the Council of Members has been reluctant to cooperate with this independent Council. We are of the opinion that the Council of Members has acted in bad faith and against the consensus it reached with Minister Mthethwa at the end of October.
“In its communication, the Council of Members asked the Board ‘to cease its commitment or participation in the operations of CSA, as well as to stop participating in any forum as representatives of CSA’.
“The Board has been working hard for the past two weeks since the minister was given the mandate to restore the credibility of CSA.
“He accepted this mandate publicly and with due care.
“The failings of corporate governance within Cricket SA are well known and the cricket-loving public has seen Cricket SA go from one crisis to another.
“The current situation is unsustainable and therefore we are dismayed to receive what we can only describe as an obstructionist and legalistic letter from the Council of Members as we have tried to establish structures and hold individuals within the CSA to account. that the conduct of the Council of Members is an attempt to obstruct the work of our Board.
“However, we are determined to continue our work in the public interest and in the best interest of cricket in South Africa. We will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who would undermine the work of this Board.”
“This is crucial to the survival of cricket in South Africa and to restoring public faith and confidence in the game. It is especially important given the busy cricket summer ahead.”
Meanwhile, the Council of Members held an emergency press conference on Thursday afternoon.
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
