Tsepo Mhlongo

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the decision by Zak Yacoob to recuse himself from the position of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) acting Board Chairperson. Yacoob has been replaced by Stavros Nicolaou to head up the interim Board. His recusal follows the release of a recording in which he can be heard verbally attacking a TimesLive journalist. The DA yesterday called for Yacoob to be removed as his behaviour was completely disgraceful and unbecoming of anyone holding such a … [Read more...] about Zak Yacoob’s Recusal from CSA Board Welcomed

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for the removal of Zak Yacoob as Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) acting Board Chairperson following the release of a recording in which he can be heard verbally attacking a TimesLive journalist. We condemn the former Judge’s disgraceful and aggressive attitude towards the journalist as it is unbecoming for someone in his position. In a telephone call with the reporter regarding the suspension of CSA acting CEO, Kugandrie Govender, Yacoob can be … [Read more...] about Remove CSA Board Chairperson, Zak Yacoob following verbal attack on journalist

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling upon the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, to extend the Covid-19 Relief Fund for Arts and Sports, in light of the extension of the adjusted level 3 lockdown announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, earlier this week. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the sports and arts fraternities, not only in South Africa but the world over. While some believe that lockdowns provide a solution to the health problem, … [Read more...] about Calls for a transparent reopening of Sport, Arts and Culture Relief Fund

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the decision by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa to give a notice of government intervention to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the affairs of Cricket South Africa (CSA). This intervention by government is far from ideal, as it could open the door to political interference at CSA. We trust that no decisions will be made without the applicable response from the ICC. The DA maintains that the appointment of … [Read more...] about CSA government intervention could open door to political interference

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the ongoing challenges within Cricket South Africa (CSA). This comes as the CSA board finally released its long-overdue forensic report into the organization’s administration following sustained pressure from the DA and Parliament’s Portfolio Committee of Sports, Arts and Culture. Following our initial reading of the report, the DA is of the view that the allegations in the report … [Read more...] about Calls for independent investigation into CSA, as board tables whitewashed forensic report

Dear MyPE The Cricket South Africa (CSA) board today committed to releasing its long-overdue forensic report into the organization’s administration by Friday. The board made this commitment today during a meeting of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee of Sports, Arts and Culture, where they were expected to share the contents of the forensic report. Following months of dithering the CSA board has finally succumbed to pressure from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Committee to make the … [Read more...] about CSA agrees to release long-overdue forensic report

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, to urge him to intervene at the South African Football Association (SAFA) in light of reports of a South African Police Services (SAPS) investigation into SAFA President, Danny Jordaan. The investigation is supposedly linked to criminal charges laid by former SAFA CEO, Dennis Mumble, against Jordaan in May for his alleged involvement in SAFA’s dodgy purchase of the … [Read more...] about Fresh misconduct allegations against Danny Jordaan

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to appoint an independent task team to oversee the administrative intervention at Cricket South Africa (CSA) in light of their unprecedented move to place CSA under administration. SASCOC has reportedly decided to intervene in the affairs of CSA following instances of maladministration and malpractice. While any action to get CSA back on track is laudable, the DA is … [Read more...] about Calls for an independent task team to oversee administrative intervention of Cricket South Africa

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Cricket South Africa (CSA) board to urgently release the forensic report it used to terminate its CEO, Thabang Moroe’s employment with immediate effect. According to the board, the decision to fire Moroe is in line with an external legal opinion they received and is also supported by findings of an independent forensic investigation which revealed that Moroe had allegedly committed acts of serious misconduct warranting his … [Read more...] about Calls on Cricket SA board to share contents of forensic report which led to CEO’s dismissal

Dear MyPE While the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the resignation of Cricket South Africa (CSA) President Chris Nenzani, his resignation in no way absolves him from any wrongdoing. We find it very suspicious that the resignation comes less than a month before his tenure would have drawn to a natural close at the CSA’s annual general meeting in September, and a week before he was to give account of his conduct as President of CSA before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts … [Read more...] about Resignation of CSA president does not absolve him of wrongdoing

Dear MyPE For the sake of transparency and accountability, the Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for the R150 million relief funding issued to the Department of Sports Arts and Culture, which was meant to mitigate the effects Covid-19 on the sector to be audited. This follows numerous allegations of corruption and mismanagement of the funds and the accusation that the department was not transparent about the funding process. The relief fund application process has been laden with … [Read more...] about R150m Arts and Sports Relief Funding Must be Audited

Dear MyPE The long-overdue gazetting of sports regulations for level 3 of the lockdown on Thursday by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa are littered with contradictions and irrational exclusions. The list of nonsensical regulations include: Non-contact sports such as weightlifting and power-lifting are not allowed; Chess is allowed but pool and snooker have been excluded; Motorsport can only "train"; Power-boating is excluded and cannot train; … [Read more...] about Level 3 sports regulations nonsensical and irrational