Thabang Moroe, the chief executive of Cricket South Africa, has been suspended with immediate effect, but with full pay, following allegations of misconduct. An investigation into his actions, which will include an independent forensic audit, is expected to be conducted soon.
Chris Nenzani, the CSA president, has been tasked with appointing an acting chief executive for the duration of Moroe’s suspension. Nenzani has been mandated to look at all options, including holding discussions with Dave Richardson, the former South Africa cricketer who was ICC chief executive till recently and is believed to be interested in getting involved with the CSA.
ESPNcricinfo understands that former chief executive Haroon Lorgat, Moroe’s predecessor, and former acting CEO Jacques Faul, have already been approached by several provincial presidents, but neither has heard from Nenzani yet.
Moroe’s suspension comes after five days of mounting pressure on CSA’s administration. There have been calls from several quarters for Moroe and the CSA Board to step down in the wake of a full-blown crisis spanning management, player and media relations, and financial affairs.
The catalyst for the recent sequence of events was the revoking of accreditation of five journalists on Sunday during the Mzansi Super League. No reason was given for the sanction but on Monday morning, Moroe told a national radio station that the board was unhappy with the reporters’ coverage of CSA. By then, CSA’s actions had been condemned by the South African National Editors’ Forum, South African Cricketers’ Association, and men’s Test and ODI sponsors Standard Bank, who also summoned CSA to a meeting that afternoon.
The reports CSA had problems with ranged from its disputes with SACA, including a court case over a proposed restructure of domestic cricket, the delay in appointing a director of cricket, which former captain Graeme Smith was being lined up for, the non-existence of a selection panel weeks before a series against England, and CSA’s mounting expenses – and debts – including that of running the MSL.
Taken together, this has left South African cricket in a state of turmoil, which will be discussed at a special sitting of the Board on Saturday, where it is hoped that clarity will be offered on key positions ahead of England’s visit.
More to follow…