News

Cricket South Africa Board resigns; Rihan Richards takes charge as chairperson

Women's CricZone Staff

26 Oct 2020

New Update

Cricket South Africa Board resigns; Rihan Richards takes charge as chairperson — Cricket South Africa © CSA Facebook

A day after the six directors of the Cricket South Africa stood down after an official meeting, the entire ten-member board including the independent and non-independent directors announced their resignation on Monday (October 26).

The statement issued by Cricket South Africa on Twitter read, "After the Members' Council had deliberated and resolved that in order to best serve the interest of cricket in South Africa, the entire Board should resign - which they did. All Independent and Non-Independent Directors have now resigned."

ALSO READ: Alyssa Healy, Marizanne Kapp shine in Sydney Sixers’ win over Adelaide Strikers

Among those who quit on Monday include the non-independent director, Zola Thamae, and the other three independents, Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw, Marius Schoeman and Vuyokazi Memani-Sedile.

While all the resignations are with immediate effect, Thamae, John Mogodi and Donovan May, would remain as directors till the interim board structure is formed.

The Acting President of the Members’ Council Rihan Richards would serve as the Chairperson of the Board joining the other three members. Richards thanked the directors and board members for their service to South African cricket.

“We appreciate their commitment to cricket, and despite the turbulent economic climate, Cricket South Africa, under their leadership, received an unqualified audit for the financial year ending 30 April 2020,” he said.

ALSO READ: Taking over Cricket South Africa is not government interference, SASCOC tells ICC

The resignation of the directors comes as a blow to the Board as until last week the CSA had denied doing the same, discarding the Members' Council's suggestion to make the Board work in compliance with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.

With the SASCOC taking the issue to South Africa sports minister, Nathi Mthethwa, the CSA had to respond to him with reasons not to use the National Sports and Recreation Act to intervene before the end of Tuesday. He also wrote to the International Cricket Council regarding the government involvement in the CSA.

As the board members have resigned, the CSA might be able to prevent the interference of the government by appointing an interim steering committee in charge as SASCOC had advised earlier.

As per reports, the interim committee is expected to have at least one former player on board. However, whether the CSA executive would continue in their current positions despite the changes in the Board is still not clear.

Nevertheless, the domestic and international season could remain unchanged due to administrative changes. The domestic tournament begins next week, and the England men's team is scheduled to tour the rainbow nation later next month.

Cricket South Africa International Cricket Council Graeme Smith Rihan Richards Zola Thamae