Majola’s attitude vindicates Russell Loubser’s attack

 The scathing attack on South African leadership especially the impotence of government and those in positions of power and authority by former JSE CEO and SAA board member, Russell Loubser, was underlined by suspended Cricket South Africa boss Gerald Majola’s attitude towards his disciplinary hearing this week, when he likened Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula to apartheid prime minister John Vorster’s refusal to allow Cape Town-born Basil d’Olivieria to play against South Africa for his adopted England in 1966.

Majola made the unfortunate statement at a media briefing this week where he also announced his withdrawal from the disciplinary proceedings against him, which he said had undue political interference from Mbalula.

“The minister overstepped his mark by interfering and he must be brought to book,” said the suspended CEO. “This is like BJ Vorster who refused d’Oliviera to play against South Africa for his adopted England.”

It is the arrogance of pleading innocent when you have been caught on camera with your hand in till, that so typifies the attitude of corrupt officials and tenderpreneurs in all walks of SA life.

Majola was found guilty on all nine charges relating to financial mismanagement, but has refused to attend the hearings and a sentence will be sent down without him on Friday.

Majola had been found guilty by the Nicholson Commission in 2011, of gross mismanagement of funds related to the 2009 IPL held in South Africa, that he had misused funds for leisure travel, and had not declared extra income – in the form of bonuses – to the CSA board.

The likely outcome is that Majola will be fired from his position, with acting CEO Jacques Faul officially instated. Other consequences of the disciplinary hearing will be announced on Friday.

Nicholas Preston, a lawyer for CSA is reported to have said: “We will invite Mr Majola to make representation on mitigating circumstances on why a harsh sanction is not appropriate.” but he unlikely to do so having turned to the Labour Court to state his case there.

Majola has refused to attend the hearings this week, and even though he is allowed to contest the ruling, he has refused to do so. His lawyer, Phumezo David, said: “There is no reason for us to legitimise this process.”

So it looks like one of the “Untouchables” is about to get his comeuppance – David Blood, SportsCentral