The Buck stopped with Majola
The Nicholson inquiry into the financial affairs of Cricket South Africa (CSA) continued in Pretoria today. Former Gauteng Cricket Board chairman Barry Sjkoldhammer said in his submission, that provincial cricket development was suffering since the Gauteng Cricket Board was placed under administration.
This came about because of friction caused between CSA and the GCB by of the staging of the 2009 IPL series in South Africa. As a result cricket development was being adversely affected.
“That money should rather be going into grassroots coaching facilitates and all amateur clubs. For example, the drainage at Soweto cricket oval has still not been fixed; we had a lovely venue there.”
Former chief operating officer of Cricket South Africa, Don McIntosh, also made his submission today claiming that the buck stopped with Gerald Majola. McIntosh pocketed R1.13 million as part of the IPL bonus debacle.
McIntosh admitted to the hearing that he had not disclosed his IPL and ICC Champions Trophy bonuses to CSA’s remuneration committee, saying that he reported to Majola who oversaw everything that he did at CSA.
It was not part of his responsibility to report to the remuneration committee regarding his performance bonuses, as all his payments were authorised by Majola.
“I disclosed everything to Gerald. I was never given an opportunity to discuss either event bonuses or even my own bonuses with the remuneration committee. The only person I discussed my bonuses with was my CEO.”
When questioned about his communication with the remuneration committee, McIntosh said it was Majola who had contact with the remuneration committee, when it came to performance reviews and bonuses, adding that he just worked with Majola and the buck stopped with the CEO.
All his dealings within CSA were with Majola and he had only attended the remuneration committee meetings in an observer capacity, adding that there was nothing secret in the non-disclosure of the bonuses, which was discovered by the internal auditor, Don Thomas, because of spikes in the PAYE returns.
“There was nothing secret. There was no intention to understate or hide. The CSA had had internal audits for years,” he said.
McIntosh blasted the remuneration committee saying the subcommittee, along with the audit committee, were absent for three years in terms of policy and procedures.
He said the remuneration committee specialised in rush meetings. He said there was little contact with them, citing an example: “I got this SMS from Paul Harris saying that it had fallen between the cracks. Your bonus is X and Gerald’s is Y,” he added.
McIntosh said former CSA president Mthuthuzeli Nyoka received a sponsored car from Majola, something which was never disclosed to the remuneration committee, but when he was further questioned by inquiry panel member Freeman Nomvalo, he later said “The vehicle was seen as a tool of trade, not as a benefit, since the vehicle was from a CSA sponsor,” he added. — Staff reporter, SportsCentral
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