Cricket in South Africa has been plunged into crisis after the Minister of Sport, Nathi Mthetwa, indicated his intention to use his powers in terms of section 13 of the National Sport and Recreation Act 110 of 1998, and withdraw government recognition of Cricket South Africa.
CSA's interim board said on Friday that it was in receipt of correspondence from the Minister regarding the intention to exercise his powers.
Mthetwa's decision came after CSA's Members Council voted last weekend against an amendment of the Memorandum of Incorporation which would have led to the establishment of a majority independent board for the future.
Six out of the 14 provincial presidents voted for the amendment, five voted against it and three votes were abstained leading to the proposal to establish a majority independent board for the future, failing.
In a statement on Sunday after the meeting, Mthethwa described the CSA Members Council’s decision as disappointing, warning that he was left with no option but to "exercise his rights in terms of section 13(5) of the Sports Act."
The Minister's spokesperson, Masechaba Khumalo, said the Minister is "certainly in the process of invoking his powers", adding that he has "not taken another step after he announced that he will be exercising his powers."
She told Algoa FM News that "at this point in time the Minister will continue to update the public as and when he has taken another step in that direction", urging the public and the media to wait for further communication.
Interim board chair, Dr Stavros Nicolaou, said in a statement that it was a sad day for the country, for cricket, its players, and the sport's millions of fans.
The Ministerial decision, if and when it is gazetted, would mean that for one, CSA would not have the authority to hand out national colours.
