Breaking: Haroon Lorgat leaves Cricket SA after a 'breakdown in relations'

epa05643254 Cricket South Africa chief executive Haroon Lorgat (L) speaks during a press conference with South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis at Adelaide Oval stadium in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 23 November 2016. Australia will play South Africa in the third and final Test match on 24 November. During the conference, Du Plessis insisted he did nothing wrong when shining the ball with saliva while sucking on a mint during the second Test against Australia last week in Hobart, Tasmania, after being found guilty of ball tampering. EPA/DAVE HUNT

Haroon Lorgat leaves Cricket SA after a ‘breakdown in relations’

A breakdown in the relationship between Lorgat and CSA officials has lead to a parting of ways

Breaking: Haroon Lorgat leaves Cricket SA after a 'breakdown in relations'

epa05643254 Cricket South Africa chief executive Haroon Lorgat (L) speaks during a press conference with South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis at Adelaide Oval stadium in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 23 November 2016. Australia will play South Africa in the third and final Test match on 24 November. During the conference, Du Plessis insisted he did nothing wrong when shining the ball with saliva while sucking on a mint during the second Test against Australia last week in Hobart, Tasmania, after being found guilty of ball tampering. EPA/DAVE HUNT

Cricket South Africa’s Haroon Lorgat has left his role as CEO ‘with immediate effect’. Both him and the governing body part ways following a breakdown in their relationship.

Lorgat was first appointed to the role back in 2013, but his instillation riled the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). They weren’t happy with an ICC investigation that implicated Lorgat. He was cleared of any wrongdoing.

In his four-year stint as CSA head honcho, he’s been credited with bring financial stability to the organisation. More recently, had a heavy hand in organising the money-spinning Global T20 league taking place in SA over November and December

Haroon Lorgat ‘parts ways’ with Cricket SA

CSA President Chris Nenzani confirmed the news in a statement…

“We recently tried on a few occasions to remedy the situation between Mr Lorgat and the Board. But we have not been successful in finding a satisfactory resolution. The Board unanimously felt that it was in the best interest of the organization that we agreed to a mutual separation agreement with Mr Lorgat.”

Read: Here are the fixtures for India’s tour of South Africa.

Mr Nenzani accepted it was a tough decision to make and acknowledged the positive changes the Chief Executive had made during his time in the job. He thanked Lorgat for ‘excellent leadership’, but maintained the CSA would now be ‘looking forward’ to appointing a successor.

Haroon Lorgat pays tribute to his colleagues

Despite the ‘relationship breakdown’ cited by Nenzani, both parties remained amicable over the split. Mr Lorgat spoke of his pride in leading the organisation, and paid tribute to the people he’s worked with since 2013.

“It was an honour to lead the organization. I am proud of what we have achieved over the past few years. We made CSA widely recognized as the best run sports federation in South Africa.”

“I must take this opportunity to sincerely thank all my staff. our players, the wonderful set of commercial partners, the media. And also, every other person that I have had the pleasure of engaging with during my term.”

CSA Vice-President, Thabang Moroe, has been appointed by the Board as the acting CEO. Chris Nenzani confirmed he would address the media at an official meeting during ‘a more appropriate time’.