Graeme Smith gets clean chit on racism allegations

Former South African captain and Director of Cricket of South Africa, Graeme Smith has been cleared of various racism allegations by two independent arbitrators – Advocate Ngwako Maenetje SC and Advocate Michael Bishop. There was no evidence in this regard that led to this decision.

The arbitration had emanated from CSA’s Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) process. In the arbitration award, Adv Maenetje SC and Adv Bishop have determined that:

1. There was no evidentiary basis to conclude that Mr Smith engaged in racial discrimination against Mr Thami Tsolekile during the period 2012-2014;
   
2. There was no evidentiary basis to conclude that Mr Smith was racially biased against black leadership at CSA; and
   
3. There was no evidentiary basis to conclude Mr Smith’s appointment of Mr Mark Boucher, rather than Mr Enoch Nkwe, as coach of the men’s Proteas team in 2019 amounted to unfair racial discrimination.

Lawson Naidoo, Chair of the CSA Board, commented: “The manner in which these issues have been dealt with and resolved by the arbitration proceedings confirms CSA’s commitment to deal with the SJN issues in a manner that treats them with utmost seriousness but also ensures fairness, due process and finality.”

Naidoo added: “Now that finality on these processes has been reached, it is appropriate to recognise the extraordinary contribution that Graeme has made to South African cricket, first as the longest-serving test captain in cricket history and then as Director of Cricket from 2019 to 2022. His role as the DoC has been critical in rebuilding the Proteas Men’s team in particular and has laid a solid foundation for his successor.”

In a release on Sunday, CSA stated that “CSA appreciates it has been difficult for Mr. Smith to endure the unwarranted public disclosures of his personal information, including his remuneration, during the SJN process. CSA regrets that this occurred and wishes Mr. Smith everything of the best going forward.”

Former wicketkeeper Boucher, who played 147 Tests, 295 one-day internationals and 25 Twenty20 internationals between 1997 and 2012, has been charged with gross misconduct over allegations of racism.

He will face a CSA disciplinary hearing in May.

Smith, who played 117 Tests, 197 ODIs and 33 T20s for South Africa, chose not to reapply for the director of cricket role and the position has since been publicly advertised.