Graeme Smith

Cricket South Africa has invited those accused of racism and other adverse allegations to reply to testimony levelled against them at the Social Justice and Nation Building hearings. Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images

CSA invites accused at transformation hearings to respond to racism allegations

Cricket South Africa has invited those accused of racism and other adverse allegations to reply to testimony levelled against them at the Social Justice and Nation Building hearings.

Graeme Smith

Cricket South Africa has invited those accused of racism and other adverse allegations to reply to testimony levelled against them at the Social Justice and Nation Building hearings. Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images

The Cricket South Africa (CSA) Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) has received numerous submissions since its resumption of public hearings on 5 July 2021.

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The Transformation Ombudsman, Advocate Dr. Dumisa Ntsebrza SC, who chairs the hearings, has previously committed that those who were adversely mentioned during the course of the hearings will be afforded the opportunity to formally respond to such allegations.

Consequently, the Transformation Ombudsman has invited persons or organisations to formally respond to allegations made against them by way of affidavit or written statement.

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The aforesaid should be sent to: submissions@cricketsaombuds.co.za or The Transformation Ombudsman, PO Box 55009, Northlands, 2116.

The deadline for the submission is Wednesday, 18 August 2021.

Among those who are expected to respond after being implicated are former Proteas greats Mark Boucher and Graeme Smith.

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The Office of the Transformation Ombudsman is currently in the process of notifying those who have been adversely mentioned during the Social Justice and Nation Building hearings.

Further, the Transformation Ombudsman advices that the Social Justice and Nation Building hearings will resume on Monday, 23 August 2021 to allow parties who wish to respond an opportunity to testify.

“This process has awakened all of us to the realization that to heal, we need to confront the past, however painful the journey”, said the Transformation Ombudsman, Advocate Dr. Dumisa Ntsebrza SC.

“We should however be mindful that those who are alleged to have inflicted pain or wrong others, also have an equally right to be heard. These are the necessary pillars that should drive the healing process we envisage,” he concluded.