So His Geraldness has broken down in tears at the Nicholson
Inquiry, and noted that this is the first time in two years he has been given
an opportunity to state his case.
O RLY?
To take this sorry saga back to the beginning, circa 2009, His Geraldness
refused Gauteng Cricket (GC) a peek at the IPL contract, in spite of the fact
that GC, the Wanderers and suite holders lost so much due to the invasion of
the IPL. As we now know, the same contract would more than likely have included
some narrative on bonuses accruing in the event of the hosting of a successful
tournament.
Majola confided in his then friend, Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka, president of the CSA
Board, that there were no bonuses as a result of the IPL, successful or
otherwise. Dr Nyoka appeared on Radio 702 and blasted GC, and Barry
Skjoldhammer in particular, for being arrogant, and daring to question the
integrity of CSA and His Geraldness. At the drop of a hat, GC and the Wanderers
were denied international events, for their 'insolence'.
A year later, the truth, as it has a habit of doing, emerged. Dr Nyoka returned
to Radio 702, saying that he had been duped by his erstwhile friend, and that
there were most definitely bonuses stemming from the IPL. He admitted that GC
had been most grievously wronged too.
Two investigations ensued. An internal one, led by Mr Khan, and an independent
one, by KPMG. In accordance with the internal inquiry outcomes, Dr Nyoka was
fired from the Board (subsequently reinstated by the Labour Court, then
fired again), His Geraldness was only 'severely reprimanded', and a statement
to the effect that there was little to no wrongdoing in any aspect of CSA's
operations was issued.
The KPMG report is in the public domain, and makes for a damning case against
His Geraldness. Had CSA been subject to an ounce of proper corporate
governance, a deeper investigation, including by the SA Police Commercial
Crimes Division, into Majola's failure to execute his fiduciary duties
properly, should have taken place. By contrast, the Khan Inquiry was a sham. A
cover-up, aided and abetted by Accused Number 1 himself.
In which organisation today, does the CEO calculate his own bonus, advising
only the payroll clerk, so as to deduct PAYE?
In which organisation does the CEO run the place as his
personal fiefdom, even going so far as to use his employers funds to swan his family
around the country?
In which organisation does the subsequently busted CEO sit with the board, to
determine his own sanction?
In which organisation does the CEO direct the board what shape and form an
investigation shall take place?
Gerald Majola is poison. Boetie, the late Khaya Majola, must be spinning in his
grave. Where Khaya was an administrator whose only interest was the game,
Gerald is an administrator whose only interest is Gerald Majola.
The fact that he has manipulated those around him, to defend him on the radio
and in print (yes you, Kass), and in the Nicholson proceedings (any number of
CSA functionaries), should make it abundantly clear that the tears that flowed
yesterday were of the nature crocodylus niloticus. If one was to believe His
Geraldness, everyone is out to get him, and they're all lying anyway. How would
he explain then, the awful procession of competent individuals who have
resigned from CSA, the Board, and its various oversight committees? Or that
nagging KPMG report… is KPMG also after his blood? Or the sponsors who have
left in droves?
His Geraldness states that CSA now has a proper company secretary. Firstly, is
this not an admission regarding the state of the rot that went on before?
Second, the cynic in me wagers a tenner that it won't be long before the
hapless new appointee, is brought over to Majola's, er, way of thinking.
Far be it for me, a simple cricket fan, to pre-empt the outcomes of Judge
Nicholson's Inquiry. However it is patently clear to me that if there is to be
any semblance of credibility about CSA, the Board has to fire Majola. Bonus
points for an ensuing criminal investigation. Anything short of that will be a
copout.
In parting, I sincerely hope His Geraldness is part of the presentations during
the forthcoming Sri Lanka tour. Let the SA public make their opinions known,
whenever he gets introduced.
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