Mthethwa spells out intention to ‘de-recognise’ CSA

Minister of sport Nathi Mthethwa has informed the interim board and members' council of Cricket SA of his intention to invoke section 13(5) of the National Sports Act.

At the weekend‚ Mthethwa threatened to suspend the crisis-riddled organisation after the members' council voted against amendments in the memorandum of incorporation (MOI), CSA’s constitution, to allow for restructuring of the organisation’s administration.

In a lengthy and strong-worded statement addressed to the interim board and the members' council‚ Mthethwa detailed his intentions to “de-fund and de-recognise” CSA in accordance of section 13(5).

Mthethwa also said the latest development would be published in the government gazette as soon as possible and he would inform the International Cricket Council (ICC) of the reasons for his actions.

“I have decided to invoke my powers under the Act‚ and I hereby notify you that I have done so in accordance with s13 (5)(i)-(iii) by defunding CSA and de-recognising CSA‚ and I will cause this to be published in the government gazette in due course at the earliest opportunity,” Mthethwa said.

“I will‚ as soon as possible‚ also inform the ICC of my decision and provide them with my reasons for doing so.

“I have now applied my mind to the matter‚ including a number of facts that I have set out in this communication to you‚ and I have concluded that there remain intractable, irrational members of the MC [members' council] who are implacably opposed to changing the governance structure of CSA‚ particularly in relation to a majority independent board‚ and an independent chairperson.”

Mthethwa added that cricket in the country could not be held to ransom by minority members.

“A majority of the members' council (six) had already approved the IB proposals on 17 April‚ and three of the council had elected to abstain. Cricket cannot be held hostage by a minority [of] members of the members' council‚” the minister wrote. — TimesLIVE