By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
David Teeger has been stripped of the SA under-19 captaincy by Cricket South Africa (CSA) a week before the under-19 World Cup is set to commence at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.
Late last year Teeger endured an inquiry by CSA regarding comments he made concening Israel soldiers. He was cleared of any wrongdoing by the independent inquiry headed by advocate Wim Trengove SC and was officially announced as captain a few days later in December.
CSA released the following statement on Friday: “Cricket South Africa (CSA) is honoured to have been named by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as hosts of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup which commences on 19 January. This decision was only taken in November last year after the original hosts, Sri Lanka, were suspended by the ICC, leaving Cricket SA with little time to make all the necessary preparations.
“As is the case with all such events, CSA has been receiving regular security and risk updates regarding the World Cup. We have been advised that protests related to the war in Gaza can be anticipated at the venues for the tournament.
“We have also been advised that they are likely to focus on the position of the SA Under-19 (SA U19) captain, David Teeger, and that there is a risk that they could result in conflict or even violence, including between rival groups of protestors.
“CSA has a primary duty to safeguard the interests and safety of all those involved in the World Cup and must accordingly respect the expert advice of those responsible for the safety of participants and spectators.”
“In all the circumstances, CSA has decided that David should be relieved of the captaincy for the tournament. This is in the best interests of all the players, the SA U19 team and David himself.
“David will remain an important and active member of the squad and we wish him and the team every success in the tournament. The newly appointed captain will be announced in due course,” the statement concluded.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said the decision by Cricket South Africa (CSA) to strip David’s captaincy is a violation of the Constitution’s Bill of Rights.
In a statement the party said, “CSA is misguided. Its primary duty is to uphold the Bill of Rights as enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa, which explicitly prohibits direct or indirect discrimination on grounds including religion, ethnic or social origin, conscience, belief and culture.”
“This decision is particularly galling given that the current chairperson of CSA, Lawson Naidoo, is also the executive secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution and regularly styles himself as a human rights defender.”
“By bending the knee before threats of violence, Naidoo and the organisation he chairs have taken the coward’s way out and betrayed the values enshrined in the Bill of Rights, read the statement.”
Attempts to reach out to CSA Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe and CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki were unsuccessful while, Naidoo said he had no further comment.
The Under-19 World Cup in South Africa runs from 19 January to 11 February, when the final will be played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.