CSA has been ordered to pay all the costs associated with the arbitration process.
Now, the arbitration process has also found that Smith, in his position as director of cricket, did not discriminate on the basis of race in appointing Boucher, who faces a disciplinary hearing next month for gross misconduct. CSA is seeking Boucher’s dismissal, which, if successful, would bring a premature end to his contract that runs until the end of the 2023 World Cup.
Smith’s tenure at CSA has already come to a conclusion. His contract expired on March 31 and he chose not to reapply for the position prompting CSA to advertise the post.
CSA was silent on his departure but acknowledged the work Smith did in ensuring South Africa played cricket through the worst of the pandemic and in overseeing a fairly successful period for both men’s and women’s national cricket. “Now that finality on these processes has been reached, it is appropriate to recognise the extraordinary contribution that Graeme has made to South African cricket, first as the longest-serving Test captain in cricket history and then as Director of Cricket from 2019 to 2022. His role as the DoC has been critical in rebuilding the Proteas Men’s team in particular and has laid a solid foundation for his successor,” Naidoo said.
ESPNcricinfo understands that CSA was interested in securing Smith’s services as a consultant but they haven’t been unable to as he pursues other interests. “We fully appreciate that after his time as the DoC, Graeme wants new challenges in the commercial and cricket worlds. He has a long career ahead of him and we very much hope that he will still work in the cricket world in appropriate capacities going forward.”
CSA also recognised that Smith’s tenure with them had been difficult for him and “regrets,” the “unwarranted public disclosures of his personal information, including his remuneration, during the SJN process.” Smith was revealed to earn R540,000 (US$35,000) a month, which made him better paid than the CEO.
The SJN report, which was made public in December, made “tentative findings” that Smith, Boucher and former international AB de Villiers, among others, had engaged in conduct that was prejudicial and discriminatory on the basis of race. However, in the absence of definite findings, ombudsman Dumisa Ntsebeza recommended a further process be undertaken. Smith arbitration and Boucher’s disciplinary hearing are the two actions CSA has taken so far. The SJN cost CSA R7.5 million (approximately US$500,000) and was over budget by R2.5 million (US$150,000). CSA will now also have to foot the bill for Smith’s arbitration.