Cricket South Africa chief executive officer Thabang Moroe has been suspended.
The suspension has come amid several recent problems for CSA, including ongoing suggestion and insistence Moroe and president resign.
Earlier this week, the Willowton Group insisted Moroe and Nenzani resign with immediate effect. The Willowton Group’s Sunfoil brand is among CSA’s sponsors. Prior, former Test captain and United Cricket Board of South Africa managing director Ali Bacher suggested the same.
CSA board chairperson Iqbal Khan and independent director Shirley Zinn resigned earlier this week. Zinn was particularly unimpressed with Moroe, who recently revoked the media accreditation of five outspoken cricket journalists. The accreditation has since been reinstated and Moroe has apologised.
CSA’s director of cricket position, meanwhile, has not yet been filled a mere three weeks prior to the Proteas’ Test series against England. Former captain Graeme Smith interviewed for the position.
What CSA said
“The board of directors of Cricket South Africa has taken a decision to put the chief executive officer Thabang Moroe on precautionary suspension with pay, effective 6 December 2019, on allegations of misconduct, pending further investigations,” read a statement from CSA.
“The decision to place Moroe on precautionary suspension follows from the reports received by the social and ethics committee and the audit and risk committee of the board related to possible failure of controls in the organisation.
“During the course of Moroe’s precautionary suspension, a forensic audit of critical aspects of the business and the conduct of management related to such aspects shall be conducted by an independent forensic team.
“In this regard, we urge all our stakeholder including sponsors, members of staff, players, volunteers and cricket fans to allow this process to unfold and we will provide updates on this matter.
Dave Richardson
Meanwhile, former Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman and International Cricket Council chief executive officer Dave Richardson’s advice has been sought in Moroe’s absence.
“In the interim, the board of directors has mandated the chairman to look at various options including holding discussions with Richardson, regarding the appointment of an acting chief executive officer for the duration of Moroe’s precautionary suspension,” added CSA.