The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to launch an independent investigation into Dr Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw.
Dr Kula-Ameyaw is an independent board member at Cricket South Africa (CSA) and chairperson of the body’s transformation committee.
DA want probe into transformation committee’s reach
The DA Deputy Shadow Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture William Faber urged SASCOC to probe Dr Kula-Ameyaw in response to “worrying reports that the transformation committee at CSA wants to have a say in team selection.”
“It has come to the DA’s attention that Dr Kula-Ameyaw, who is only a temporary board member as she has yet to be voted in, has recently written a letter stating that the transformation committee should play a part in selecting players for the various teams,” Faber claims in a statement issued to the press.
“While the DA has always believed in transformation, player selection should never be subjected to a quota system or left in the hands of board members – especially those with a hidden agenda that has admitted to not even liking the sport they want to transform.”
Transformation committee interfering with selection
Faber says that it is troubling that the transformation chair seems to have influenced playing matters and team selection for the 3TC exhibition match.
“It is also problematic that Dr Kula-Ameyaw seems to have had a say in the team selection for the Solidarity Cup,” Faber adds.
“In a tweet, she claimed to have been the driving force behind Reeza Hendricks replacing Kagiso Rabada and Temba Bavuma replacing Quinton de Kock as captains after they withdrew from the Solidarity Cup.
“By making statements like these, Dr Kula-Ameyaw takes away credibility from extremely capable players and captains. She makes it seem like they were not picked on merit, but simply for the colour of their skin. This is a travesty to the many players of colour who have served the ranks of various South African cricket teams over the years. It seeks to diminish their accomplishments and widen the racial divide in South African society.”
Faber asserts that CSA’s transformation committee using a 2018 report as the basis for their strategies.
“In an oral parliamentary question, the DA has also asked the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, whether he was aware the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report on transformation was outdated as it was more than two years old. The CSA transformation committee cannot possibly hope to enact transformation if it’s working with irrelevant information.
“While the DA supports the transformation of sport in South Africa, it must not be done in a way that is detrimental to the sport and its players. Players should be picked on their skill, and transformation should be done at a grassroots level to ensure that better players rise through the ranks of cricket in South Africa.”
SASCOC and CSA have positive meeting
SASCOC are already probing CSA regarding allegations of widespread financial misdealings and the recent dismissal of former CEO Thabang Moroe.
CSA claim they held a positive meeting with SASCOC on Monday 14 September.
“The meeting presented a step forward towards a collaborative approach in the interest of good governance and executive operations,” a statement from CSA reads.
“Key points were identified and deliberated by the attendees, which included CSA’s Members’ Council and the Board of Directors of SASCOC, with the ultimate end goal of achieving a unified focus on the game of cricket.”
SASCOC have stepped in to aid CSA in plotting a path to reform which is likely to include a restructuring of the board and a wider probe into the finances of the governing body.
