SASCOC suspends embattled Cricket South Africa board

FILE PHOTO: Cricket - South Africa v Australia - Third T20 - Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa - February 26, 2020. Australia's David Warner in action. [REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo]

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has suspended the board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) for a period of one month while it launches an investigation into its conduct, officials told Reuters on Thursday.

SASCOC acting chief executive Ravi Govender said the radical step is "to remove the negativity and governance issues around CSA, so that in future they can be more effective and efficient in their mandate".

CSA has been plunged into crisis following a damning report on conduct within the organisation that led to the dismissal of chief executive Thabang Moroe in August, nine months after he was first suspended, but which the board says will not be made public.

"We are deeply concerned about the issues that have been permeating around CSA recently," Govender said. "We met with the board and requested sight of the elusive forensic report, which has not been forthcoming.

"We have asked the board to step aside so that we can implement a task team to look into their actions and report back to us within one month."

The organisation has come under heavy criticism from sponsors over governance issues, while last week 30 leading players from the men’s and women’s national teams signed a scathing letter criticising the board for postponing CSA’s Annual General Meeting that had been scheduled for Sept. 5.

Cricket - South Africa v England - Third Test - St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa - January 19, 2020. England's Mark Wood celebrates taking the catch to dismiss South Africa's Quinton de Kock off the bowling of Joe Root. [REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko]

The International Cricket Council usually takes a dim view of outside intervention in the running of the game, but Govender believes SASCOC will have the backing of the global body in its attempt to stabilise the sport in the country.

"The ICC have also expressed some concerns (about the running of CSA) and we believe our decision is warranted, and that it will be embraced by the ICC," he said.

"The decision we are taking is in line with constitutional provisions and the ICC respect the fact that we are the macro body.

"Obviously, when it comes to the outcomes reported by the task team, we will consult with the ICC."

The ICC could not be reached for comment.