UCBSA agree to participate in the Committee of Inquiry

Members of the General Council of the UCBSA today met the Minister of Sport, Ngconde Balfour, to discuss concerns which the UCB has around the Committee of Inquiry that was constituted to investigate transformation in cricket.

At the meeting, the Minister acknowledged that the UCB has concerns, but said that the Committee would go ahead with its work as planned.

In the circumstances, the UCB has decided to participate in the Committee, but would like to express its very strong reservations.

At a meeting between representatives of the UCB and the Ministry, as well as other interested parties, on 10 July 2002, an agreement was reached that a ministerial task team would be established to verify that the data on which the UCB based its decisions around transformation were accurate.

However, the Minister, contrary to this agreement, established a Committee of Inquiry whose terms of reference far exceed the intended purpose of the Ministerial Task Team. The Terms of reference may, furthermore, and unilaterally, be added to, varied or amended by the Minister.

The UCB has also expressed its concern about the composition of the Committee. Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka has previously, and in the national media, made disparaging remarks in regard to the transformation process in cricket and has, inter alia, referred to the UCB CEO as an "affirmative appointment" and referred to the CEOs statements on transformation as "buffoonery". As a result of Dr Nyoka's public statements, the Presidents of the other 10 affiliates of the UCBSA (other than Gauteng, of which Dr Nyoka was Chairman at the time) publicly distanced themselves from Dr Nyoka's statements. As a result of these events, Dr Nyoka resigned from his position as Chairman of the Gauteng Cricket Board and from all other positions that he formerly held with the UCBSA. The UCB is of the firm belief that there is at least a perception that Dr Nyoka would not be able to display objectivity in the execution of his duties as a member of this Committee.

The UCB also believes that certain other appointments to the Committee may result in a potential conflict of interest of these committee members. Ms Kedi Tshoma is the President of an affiliate of one of the 11 provinces of the UCBSA. Willie Basson is an honourary life member and former Board member of one of the affiliates of the UCBSA.

In the best interests of South African cricket, more particularly in the light of the upcoming ICC 2003 World Cup and because neither the United Cricket Board of South Africa nor any of its affiliates have anything whatsoever to hide in regard to transformation or anything else, we have resolved to participate in the proposed Inquiry.

The UCB wishes, however at the outset to record that it is of the opinion that the Inquiry is flawed, as has been repeatedly pointed out to the Minister, in regard to:-

(i) the composition of the Committee of Inquiry;

(ii) the terms of reference applicable to the Committee;

(iii) the scope of the Inquiry envisaged.

The UCB believes that the Committee's Inquiry is tainted with bias and subjectivity and any report of such Committee will be viewed with circumspection and cynicism by both the UCB and members of the public.

Accordingly, and with such reservations and under such protest, the UCB confirms it will allow its affiliates to participate in the proposed Inquiry.