Sports minister Nathi Mthethwa warns of defunding and derecognising Cricket South Africa

The board could well be stripped of its status as the game’s governing body in the country if the minister does intervene

Cricket South Africa is on the verge of being stripped of its status as the game’s governing body in the country, with the sports minister preparing to intervene in the ongoing crisis – potentially as soon as next week – by “defunding” and “derecognising” the body. Such a move, which the minister Nathi Mthethwa warned of in a letter to the interim board and members’ council, would have seismic implications on the game in the country, not least for the futures of the national teams.

In the four-page letter, Mthethwa outlined the reasons for his decision, and concluded: “In the circumstances, I have decided to invoke my powers under the Act [which allows ministerial intervention in a sporting body] and I hereby notify you that I have done so…. by de-funding and de-recognising CSA, and I will cause this to be published in the Government Gazette in due course at the earliest opportunity.”