Axed CSA director fights

RAMELA: STARTS HIGH COURT TUSSLE CITING LACK OF TRANSFORMATION

Interests of the game are not being advanced, applicant states in legal challenge.

Omphile Ramela, the former president of the players’ union who was last month removed as a director of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) interim board, has lodged an application in the high court challenging his removal.

His application is based on the alleged rude conduct of the board and an accusation that they have erred in terms of procedure.

The board resolved on 15 December to remove Ramela for being “derelict in performing his functions as a director” and engaging in “destructive practices”.

The latter related to his alleged refusal to accept majority decisions and subsequent leaks of board discussions to the media. Ramela was given the opportunity to put his case before the board, but did not attend the meeting.

Ramela then announced on Tuesday evening on social media that he would challenge his dismissal in court.

“I have lodged an application against CSA with the high court. While the application deals with my removal, the premise of this application speaks to the conduct of this board as far [sic] the principle of law and order is concerned.

“Given that my concerns speak to the principle of its conduct in matters of law and procedure, the court is the best place that can ventilate this matter.

“The directors of this board serve in leadership structures of society. If its conduct is questionable

Board has not done anything to advance the game, enhance transformation. Omphile Ramela Axed CSA board director

in law and procedure then we, as a country and the game of cricket, have a much bigger problem.

“My major concern is the game. I could have easily walked away from this, but I think I’ve got a responsibility as someone who’s been in the game to stand for the truth,” Ramela posted on Twitter.

He added that he would demonstrate in court that the CSA interim board had not acted with the interests of the game at heart, especially in terms of transformation. “The decisions I’m contesting speak to the motive of this conduct. This board has not done anything to advance the game and enhance transformation on and off the field of play.

“Instead it has done the total opposite to a point of regressing any transformation gains and governance.

This then begs the question, whose interest are they serving?

“Hopefully this court process will help pierce that veil and reveal the source of our problems in cricket. The game has served me as a player and it has created opportunities for me. So if there is a case I can make that the interests of the game are not being protected at the moment I will put that out there,” Ramela said.

The interim board issued a statement yesterday saying Ramela’s application was without substance and they would oppose it in court.