Shadow Minister of Sport welcomes withdrawal of Section 13(5)

The DA approve the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa’s decision not to invoke his powers in terms of Section 13(5) of the Sports Act against Cricket South Africa. 

Mthethwa was set to officially strip CSA of its national recognition until the federation’s Member’s Council gave in to pressure and accepted a new Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI).

The decision to implement structural reform was welcomed by Shadow Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture Tsepo Mhlongo.

Withdrawal of Section 13(5) welcomed

“We believe that this was the correct decision to make as the future of South African cricket was hanging in the balance,” Mhlongo said.

“The decision to reverse the Section 13(5) intervention was no doubt influenced by the recent vote by the the CSA Members’ Council to adopt the Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI), intended to introduce a more independent governance structure at CSA, which they previously opposed.”

Mhlongo insisted that CSA’s new board be summoned as soon as the have been appointed to present their strategies for the game, and pathway out of the mire the long leadership crisis has brought upon the game.

“The DA calls for the MOI to be tabled before Parliament and that the CSA board and executives present on how these new strategies will be implemented,” he said.

Future political interference in sport a worry

The DA MP expressed concern that the Sports ministry might make a habit of stepping in and perhaps unnecessarily meddling in the administration of sport in South Africa.

“While the adoption of the MOI is a step in the right direction, we remain concerned about the unprecedented political interference and power plays demonstrated by Minister Mthethwa,” Mhlongo added.

“This level of political interference in the independent processes of sports bodies, creates a dangerous precedent and leave us concerned that it can result in future political interference in other sport federations.”