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Nathi Mthethwa (Gallo Images)
- The ICC has been informed of the intention of the Minister of Sports, Nathi Mthethwa, to intervene in the operation of South African cricket.
- It is a great blow to CSA in its efforts to ensure its independence.
- This development could also put Proteas at risk.
South African Minister of Sports Nathi Mthethwa has written to International Cricket Council (ICC) confirming that the government will now intervene in the operation of Cricket South Africa (CSA).
This is a major advance given that the ICC constitution states that when its member bodies lose their independence and are taken over by government or political control, they run the risk of being marginalized from international tours and major ICC events. .
The Proteas, who haven’t played international cricket since March, now run that risk.
Mthethwa has been involving CSA for weeks since the organization reached out to the Sports Confederation and the South African Olympic Committee (Sascoc) a month ago.
Those discussions have centered on requests for the entire CSA board and leadership, including Acting President Beresford Williams, to step down and for a task force appointed by Sascoc to lead the organization until a new board can be implemented.
Fundudzi’s highly publicized forensic report has also formed an important part of the discussions, with the government finally making its way to receive the full report towards the end of last week.
The report interrogates CSA leaders dating back to 2016 and was the vehicle that finally saw former CEO Thabang Moroe fired.
On Tuesday, the sports portfolio committee and its members, in a meeting with CSA, again asked Williams to resign.
Then on Wednesday morning, the sports department confirmed the news that cricket fans across the country had been dreading.
“Efforts have been made for several months to try to help CSA stabilize its governance affairs. This, after a major outcry at the failure of its leadership to manage its affairs effectively,” he added. a statement read.
Minister Mthethwa added: “Having evaluated the discussions, as well as subsequent reports on this matter, I have now reached a point where I do not see value in any further engagement with CSA.”
Mthethwa confirmed that he had written to the ICC to inform the gaming governing body of his intentions, while also giving CSA a 5:00 p.m. deadline on October 27 to “make written statements, if they wish, on why what should not exercise its decision to intervene according to the laws of the country. “
“The ball is now firmly on the court of CSA,” the statement concluded.
