Cricket South Africa (CSA) and some top former players such as Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers have been accused by the Commission on Social Justice and Nation-building (SJN) of engaging in racial “prejudicial conduct” against players.
According to ‘ESPN Cricinfo’, the 235-page final report submitted by SJN Commission chief Dumisa Ntsebeja found the CSA administration, former captain and current director Smith, current head coach Mark Boucher and former batsman de Villiers unfairly discriminated against black players. has been accused of doing.
De Villiers, who recently retired, a much admired figure in South African cricket, denied the allegation. “I support CSA’s objectives of social justice and nation building process to ensure equal opportunities in cricket,” he tweeted.
“However, in my career, I have honestly expressed my opinion of cricket, which I think was best for the team, never based on one’s race. That’s the fact.”
I support CSA’s objectives of social justice and nation building process to ensure equal opportunities in cricket. However, in my career, I have honestly expressed my opinion of cricket, which I think was best for the team, never based on one’s race. That is the fact. pic.twitter.com/Be0eb1hNBR—AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) December 15, 2021
The report recommended the appointment of a permanent Ombudsman to deal with complaints based on race and gender in South African cricket. The report also recommended that CSA create an anonymous complaints policy.
The issue came to the fore when Boucher and former spinner Paul Adams testified that the latter was given a nickname by his national teammates, including the current head coach.
The SJN Commission report also mentions the non-selection of Thami Tsolekile to the national side after Boucher’s retirement in 2012.
According to the website, “the panel’s decision was completely irrational and shows clear signs of systemic racism.”
“CSA, Mr. Graeme Smith and some of the selectors at the time really failed Mr. Solekill and many of the black players of the time in many ways.”
The allegations against de Villiers were based on his handling of Khaya Zondo when he was part of the South Africa ODI team that toured India in 2015. He was not selected in the squad when JP Duminy was injured for the final match of the series. Dean Elgar, who was part of the Test team, played in that match instead of Zondo.
The report said this was done “just to ensure that a black player is not placed in a position he perceives as requiring more experience.”
Boucher acknowledged that he was among those who sang a song that contained abuse, for which he had already apologized, stating that white players in South Africa were not aware of the realities of post-apartheid team dynamics. were not ready for. The CSA stated that the SJN process, which was initially supposed to last four months but was extended to more than six, cost the organization US$500,000, but felt it was “both necessary and productive”.
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