The Democratic Alliance (DA) has recommended that an independent investigation be launched with regards to the Cricket South Africa (CSA) crisis, following the release of a forensic report into the matter.
The Fundudzi report, which looked into the organisation’s recent decline, was released to members of parliament on Friday, with its board hauled before the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture once more on Tuesday.
Questions over the CSA report legitimacy
In the report, axed chief executive Thabang Moroe emerges as the central figure which facilitated the turmoil at CSA.
Following a lengthy suspension, Moroe was relieved of his duties in August after being found guilty of financial mismanagement, among other accusations.
However, this has been questioned by the DA. The party is not convinced that an individual could have dragged the organisation into the chaos it currently finds itself in.
MP Tshepo Mhlongo says the report may not have been compiled independently, as it fails to finger those who might have been in cahoots with Moroe.
“The financial crisis, administrative challenges and poor leadership at CSA cannot be laid solely at the feet of one man,” he said.
“All board members and executives, past and present, who were involved in CSA’s maladministration should be investigated. It is for this reason that the DA calls for an independent investigation into the administration of CSA dating from 2016 to present. “We will not accept this whitewashed report which essentially absolves the CSA board and other senior executives from any wrongdoing related to the past six years of decline in CSA’s administration.”
Board underfire
Of the names implicated in wrongdoing, according to the report, there are several high-profile CSA official.
Former COO Naasei Appiah, who too was sacked by the organisation, was accused of irregular, with alcohol purchases amounting to over R200 000 attributed to him.
He is challenging his dismissal at the labour court, and has blasted the Fundudzi report, labelling it as biased.
Also under the spotlight is acting president Beresford Williams, who was recused from Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting.
Williams has a complaint of conflict of interest against him, relating to a R5 million loan awarded to the Western Province Cricket Association.
