By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@Backpagepix.
Proteas head coach Mark Boucher has been charged with “gross misconduct” by Cricket South Africa (CSA) for his alleged role in the racial discrimination.
In a statement released on Thursday, CSA confirmed that Boucher would meet with Senior Counsel Advocate Terry Motau on January 26 “to determine a timetable for the proceedings”.
CSA appointed Motau (SC) as chairperson of the disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against Boucher.
This follows December’s Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) report, which made tentative findings regarding allegations of discrimination and racism against various persons, including Boucher.
Boucher, also a former Proteas star in his playing days, was served with charges under Cricket South Africa’s disciplinary code earlier this week, the day before the ODI series against India began.
“The Board remains mindful of its duty to treat allegations of racism or discrimination with the utmost seriousness and in a manner that ensures fairness and due process in terms of South Africa’s Constitution and labour legislation. It is now up to the inquiry to determine to which extent the allegations are true and justify the need for further disciplinary steps,” CSA Board Chairperson, Lawson Naidoo, said.
The SJN report, released in December, accused Boucher of discrimination and using racial slurs relating to former spin bowler Paul Adams’ complaint of the Proteas team using a song referring to him as “a brown shit in the ring” during their fines meetings.
While Boucher is being charged with gross misconduct, which could lead to his dismissal, CSA emphasised it is important that the independent inquiry first needs to test all allegations before any question of sanction can arise.
“Any implicated party will be given a fair opportunity to be heard so that finality can be achieved,” said Naidoo.