The South African Cricket Farce

The enquiry into the South African Cricket Board (CSA) has eventually been finalized by retired  Judge, Chris Nicholson's commission.  The results against CSA were pretty damning and to the point.

Nicholson (above) found that there was a major cover up to protect Gerald Majola, the CSA Chief Executive. Amongst his finding, Majola was found to have contravened sections, 234. 235 and 236 of the Companies Act and this should be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for investigation.
Further to this, he has suggested SARS investigate whether CSA is complying with section 21 statues for non-profit organizations. (Whether this happens remains to be seen though)

It was also established that the bonuses at the centre of the controversy, were in fact, incorrectly paid to the recipients and should be voided. In other words, the greedy little people who basically awarded inflated bonuses to themselves-should dig deep and pay them back.Of course, in South ?Africa we have more chance of the sun not rising tomorrow. Civil action could be taken against Majola(above), Don McIntosh (below) and other CSA members to recover these bonuses, however, and I say again- this probably will not materialize.

Nicholson was highly critical of the Khan Commission, which found that the bonuses were awarded properly and the bonuses were returned with interest- really, with interest. It was no secret at the time that this was a 'friendly' commission that went through the step to exonerate Majola.

Due to misuse of funds, the Nicholson Commission found that cricket development was being neglected and funds were not reaching the facets of cricket it should. Therefore, the people who needed the funds, were not receiving them, thus development stagnated.
It was a well known fact that CSA battled to secure sponsors ahead of the tour by Australia due to the sullied image nobody wanted to be attached to.

Majola has also been found to abusing the travel expenses by CSA paying for a trip for his family to the tune of some R42 000. (This amounted to 15 flights). And Mr Honest, places the blame on the travel agency.

Fikile Mbalua, the Sports Minister, will study the commissions findings before making a decision. ( He wants to 'apply his mind'- love it when the ministers say that.)

Majola tried to play the blame game, he pleaded ignorance, he tried to hide evidence- and in end, he has been found out. He is not alone. Senior executives tried to protect and support him, despite his actions being obvious and illegal.

In my view action must be taken to recover the bonuses from all who benefited from them. SARS needs to investigate the non-profit status and the NPA must investigate the contraventions of the Company Act.

But most importantly, the CSA need to be dissolved and a new board formed. In line with, a thorough investigation into how CSA operated. Action against people found guilty of contravening any laws or rules should be taken. Though in South Africa, wrong doers are seldom held to account if they are in high positions.


We need a Cricket Board who cares for the sport and who manages CSA to the benefit of cricket and not to the benefit of their pockets. We need new members, as the current crooked CSA officials have proved their hearts are not with cricket. The government must have the guts to take strong and decisive action in favour of cricket and not protect corrupt officials. Cricket First.