Majola criticized for accusing Mbalula of functioning like apartheid-style minister

Johannesburg: Suspended Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Gerald Majola has been criticized for accusing Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula of functioning like an apartheid-style minister.

Majola reportedly likened Mbalula to apartheid Prime Minister John Vorster in Johannesburg on Wednesday after he withdrew from his CSA disciplinary hearing. Majola claimed the process that led to his hearing was illegal and went against International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations concerning government interference in the sport. He was referring to the independent inquiry into CSA``s long-running bonus scandal, headed by retired judge Chris Nicholson and commissioned by the sports minister. The Nicholson committee recommended Majola be suspended to allow him to defend his involvement in the unauthorised bonuses paid to himself and other CSA staff members in 2009. Mbalula dismissed Majola’s allegations that he did not have the power to appoint the independent committee. He said its subsequent findings had proven his intervention had been correct. He said in a statement: “It was preposterous in the extreme and must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. He now resorts to childish name-calling when all options open to Mr Majola, to avoid the disciplinary process, have been closed. We expect better from him but see his desperation.” The government’s intervention was in line with the South African Sport and Recreation Act and Treasury regulations. Mbalula said ICC regulations state that a government may investigate the affairs of a member board. ANI