Ex-skipper Graeme Smith has been cleared of all charges of racism labelled against him during his time as captain of South Africa and post-retirement in his stay as the ex-Director of Cricket for CSA. Smith went through an independent arbitration process following the Social Justice and National-Building commission report.
In the independent enquiry, advocates Ngwako Maenetje SC and Michael Bishop cleared Smith of all three chargers put against him in the SJN report commission, which was set up by CSA to rectify past and present mishandling against the black cricketers, reports ESPNcricinfo.
These chargers included: (a) indifferential treatment to ex-wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile in the 2012-14 period when he was contracted by CSA but did not play a single game, (b) for allegedly standing against black leadership in CSA, with claims that he refused to work with former CEO of the board Thabang Moroe and (c) appointing his former teammate and white player Mark Boucher as men’s team head coach in his capacity as the director of cricket over Enoch Nkwe back in 2019.
The arbitration found no evidence to support these allegations made against Smith and duly cleared the legendary cricketer of the racism charges.
“I’m grateful that my name has finally been cleared. I’ve always given South African cricket my utmost, as a player, captain and administrator, over the last 20 years. So, to hear these baseless allegations of racism being made has been extremely difficult, both for me and my family.
It has been exhausting and distracting, not least because South African cricket has also been going through a well-publicised rebuilding process which has required a lot of attention.”
Smith said in a statement issued by CSA.
The Boucher appointment had fallen under scrutiny as the former wicketkeeper-batter himself faces racism allegations from his playing days and is set to appear for a disciplinary hearing. But the arbitration found that Smith had indulged in no discriminatory behaviour in roping in his former teammate as the team’s head coach for a four-year term, finishing with the 2023 World Cup.
Smith’s tenure as director of cricket came to a conclusion in March, and he has decided not to reapply for the post, prompting CSA to issue fresh advertisements for the wholesome job.
