ZCZC
BSP-14
CRICKET-RSA-SUSPENSIONS
Cricket South Africa suspends three top officials
JOHANNESBURG, Oct 30, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Cricket South Africa said Wednesday
it had placed three top officials on “precautionary suspension”.
No names were given but South African media reported that they included
Corrie van Zyl, the interim director of cricket, who was seen as a front-
runner for the full-time role which holds responsibility for the national
team.
The suspensions came less than two months before South Africa host England
in a four-Test series, with the key positions of director of cricket and team
director yet to be filled.
CSA said in a statement the suspensions were related to a dispute over
unpaid fees to players following the Mzansi Super League T20 tournament last
year. The 2019 version of the tournament starts on November 8.
The other officials reportedly suspended are chief operating officer
Naasei Appiah and sponsorship head Clive Eksteen.
The suspensions came a week after the South African Cricketers’
Association (SACA), which represents professional players, declared a dispute
with CSA over money it said was due to the players for commercial rights
relating to the MSL 2018.
CSA said it was investigating whether the suspended officials were
“derelict in fulfilling their duties” and that disciplinary action could
follow. It said all fees due to the players would be paid to SACA
immediately.
The latest upheavals come at a time when the national team appears to be
in disarray. Ottis Gibson and his coaching staff were fired after a poor
World Cup campaign and a new structure was announced, with a team director to
be appointed who would report to the director of cricket.
Van Zyl, a long-time employee of CSA, was appointed interim director of
cricket and Enoch Nkwe was made appointed interim team director following a
successful season as coach of the Lions franchise.
Nkwe was in charge of the team that suffered three heavy defeats in three
Tests in India earlier this month.
Applications for the permanent posts close tomorrow. The first Test
against England starts on December 26.
BSS/AFP/RY/1548 hrs