Cricket South Africa restructuring to be investigated

The total restructuring of Cricket South Africa is to be investigated by a steering committee consisting of both CSA representatives and independent members.

The decision was taken by a CSA board meeting that preceded the New Age T20 friendly match between India and South Africa here today.

The members of the steering committee are acting CSA president Willie Basson, board representatives Chris Nenzani, Archie Pretorius and Vuyo Ntswahlana and Rushdi Magiet, Shawn Christiansen, Alan Jordaan and Ashwin Desai as independents.

"This is a matter of urgency," Basson said.

"I would like this matter to be finished before our annual meeting in September."

Basson, who was appointed at a meeting a fortnight ago where CSA chief executive Gerald Majola was suspended, has promised swift action in the wake of the Nicholson inquiry which recommended sweeping changes at CSA.

Retired Judge Chris Nicholson was appointed by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula to investigate following nearly two years of wrangling over huge IPL 2 bonuses that Majola paid himself and other senior CSA staff without informing the board.

IPL 2 was played in South Africa due to security concerns around elections at the time in India.

Mbalula had called on CSA to act promptly on the recommendations of the Nicholson inquiry, threatening government intervention if this did not happen.

Besides damning recommendations about suspending Majola pending disciplinary action and even investigation of possible criminal charges against him for breaching his fiduciary duties, the Nicholson inquiry also called for serious change at CSA regarding corporate governance.

All CSA provincial affiliates will now be asked to provide input to the steering committee that will provide guidelines for a gathering to be held later in the year involving the board of CSA, sponsors and other stakeholders.

The Board also decided to follow the guidelines of the Nicholson report in approaching the Chairperson of the Bar Council to appoint a senior counsel to chair the disciplinary inquiry of CEO Gerald Majola.

The issue of the IPL bonuses was also discussed at today's meeting, where it was unanimously resolved that any decision in this regard should wait until the outcome of the disciplinary inquiry.

It  was also found that it might be necessary for CSA to take appropriate legal advice.