Statement by the Ministry of Sport and Recreation and the UCBSA

A meeting took place in Cape Town today between the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Ngconde Balfour, and representatives of the UCBSA to give effect to the institution of an inquiry to investigate allegations of dishonesty in South African cricket.

The Department of Sport and Recreation will appoint a judge to head an inquiry to investigate the said allegations. The inquiry will be independent of the UCBSA. While its terms of reference have yet to be formulated, the inquiry will concentrate on two areas:

1. Current revelations that have emerged around former South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje and others as a result of investigations by Indian authorities into match-fixing.

2. To investigate in a broader sense whether there have been any other instances of dishonesty in South African cricket which may not yet have emerged. This is to ensure that South African cricket complies with the principles of the ICC Code of Conduct and to maintain a high level of integrity in South African sport.

The inquiry will be directed to submit to the Government and the UCBSA a report on its findings into (1) above by the end of May 2000. The UCBSA will submit this to the ICC.

The UCBSA will ensure that all its affiliates and their members will co-operate with the inquiry. Hansie Cronje's legal counsel have indicated that he will also co-operate fully.

Ngconde Balfour
Minister of Sport and Recreation
13 April, 2000