Sports minister Nathi Mthethwa has put in motion a process which could ‘derecognise’ Cricket South Africa (CSA) as the sport’s governing body in the country, and could also lead to South Africa’s suspension from international competition.
This is the culmination of months of turmoil at CSA.
CSA is effectively controlled by two bodies, the members’ council – which consists of the presidents of the fourteen provincial unions – and a board, which generally has representatives of the members’ council sitting on it.
The two bodies were working together to implement a new Memorandum of Incorporation (MoI) for CSA. Although there were some bumps in the road it seemed that consensus had been reached and the members’ council would agree to the MoI and the election of a majority independent board (previously CSA boards had a majority drawn from the members’ council).
However, this did not come to pass and the members’ council failed to reach the 75% majority needed to amend the MoI.
Mthethwa had previously threatened CSA with intervention if it failed to get its house in order, and the minister will now implement Section 13 (5) (A) of the National Sports and Recreation Act, which allows the minister to get involved in the affairs of errant sporting bodies. Mthethwa can strip CSA of funding and recognition, meaning it will no longer be the governing body of cricket in South Africa, can no longer award national colours, and will be stripped of funding. This will also have an impact on sponsorships, which will have implications for jobs and the broader sustainability of the game in the country. In addition, South Africa could be prevented from playing international cricket if the International Cricket Council suspends the side as a result of government interference (although it seems the body is taking a ‘wait and see’ approach’ for the moment).
CSA has until next Friday to resolve the impasse, after which Mthethwa is likely to act.
CSA still has time to find a solution, but time is short and it seems the game is being held hostage by a small number of people who are opposed to attempts to reform the body. It remains to be seen whether Mthethwa will act, but as it stands it seems he has little choice unless the coming week sees a resolution.
[Image: GCIS]