ICC confirms eminent panel to investigate Zimbabwe racism allegations

The ICC today confirmed the appointment of India's Solicitor General, Mr Goolam Vahanvati, and South African High Court Judge Steven Majiedt as the eminent panel to carry out an independent review into allegations of racism in cricket in Zimbabwe.

Mr Vahanvati and Judge Majiedt will investigate the racism allegations that were raised during a dispute between the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and some of its players in April this year.

At the ICC Executive Board meeting in June, the Board chose to appoint a panel of at least two eminent persons to conduct an independent review, and report back to the Board in October 2004 with findings and appropriate recommendations.

ICC President Ehsan Mani said the appointment of the eminent panel meant that the allegations could now be duly investigated.

"The ICC regards allegations of racism as a serious matter and the process which is now in place to investigate these claims will ensure that the issues and concerns are addressed thoroughly and independently," said Mr Mani.

"Judge Majiedt and Mr Vahanvati both have considerable experience in overseeing legal hearings and dealing within a fair and considered framework for all parties.

"We have strong confidence and faith in the approach they are undertaking, and the ICC Executive Board will receive their findings and recommendations in October."

In commencing the review, the panel now invites written submissions from involved parties over the next 30 days, which will be researched and evaluated to try to determine trends and any prima facie allegations of racism.

All submissions must disclose the sender's full contact details.

An inquiry, in which the panel may invite specific individuals or organisations to make oral submissions and give testimony, is then scheduled to take place in late September (London), and early October (Zimbabwe).

A final report from the inquiry, and other findings and recommendations, will be presented to the ICC Executive Board at its next meeting in October, before being made available to the public.

The full terms of reference under which the review will take place are available from the ICC's official website, click here.

Judge Majiedt and Mr Vahanvati were appointed by ICC President, Ehsan Mani, and ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed.

Written submissions should be sent to:

Mr Goolam E Vahanvati
Room No 27 2nd Floor
Supreme Court,
New Delhi, 110 001
India
Email: gevahanvati@hotmail.com

And

Judge S A Majiedt
Judges Chambers
High Court, Civic Centre
Jan Smuts Boulevard
Kimberley, 8300
South Africa
E mail: samajiedt@justice.gov.za

Media notes:

(1) Panel member profiles

Mr Goolam E Vahanvati was appointed Solicitor General of India in June 2004. Prior to this, Mr Vahanvati was the Advocate General of Maharashtra since 1999. With legal expertise in constitutional law, administrative law, banking and insurance, Mr Vahanvati has previously practiced in the High Court and Supreme Court of Bombay, and has also been called to give evidence as an expert on Indian law. In a highly publicised case, Mr Vahanvati represented the State in the Public Interest Litigation field in relation to the Abdul Karim Telgi stamp scam.

Judge Stevan Arnold Majiedt was admitted as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa in the Cape of Good Hope Provincial Division in 1984. He has chaired and appeared for the State in several disciplinary (misconduct) hearings and since May 2000 has presided as Judge in the High Court of South Africa (Northern Cape Division).

(2) Full details of the ICC Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedure between the ZCU and some of its players is close to confirmation, and will be advised in the coming weeks. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedure is separate to the racism allegations.