Nyoka to learn his fate

Johannesburg - The fate of Cricket South Africa's president, Mtutuzeli Nyoka, will be decided by the federation's board members on Saturday morning.

Sports minister Fikile Mbalula was set to address the board before the meeting in Johannesburg, but it remained unlikely he would have any influence over their decision.

It had been alleged that all 11 members of the board, which include the six provincial executives, had signed a letter supporting a vote of no-confidence in Nyoka.

The ongoing controversy revolves around bonuses which were paid to CSA's chief executive, Gerald Majola, and other CSA employees after the hosting of the 2009 Indian Premier League and ICC Champions Trophy tournaments.

For security reasons, the IPL was switched from India to South Africa at the 11th hour and was purported to be of great financial benefit to CSA and the host franchises.

At the end of the tournament, widely regarded as successful, CSA and the associate hosting boards had little to show for it and managed to upset the local sponsors and stadium suite holders in the process.

It then emerged that 40 members of CSA had pocketed bonuses worth a combined total R4.7m.

The bonuses were paid in a manner which did not follow due process within CSA guidelines, with Majola failing to clear the payments with the body's remunerations committee, and Nyoka requested an external investigation.

Instead, the CSA board opted for an internal review in November last year which subsequently cleared Majola and the other beneficiaries of any wrongdoing.

Nyoka and Majola had been at loggerheads since then and, while other members of the board were reported to be unhappy about the ousting of Nyoka, it was unlikely any of them would speak out against Majola.

Mbalula stated publicly that no administrator was bigger than the game, and that he hoped Majola and Nyoka would be able to settle their differences.

The sports minister, however, would not have much influence over the outcome of the special board meeting if the 11 affiliates had already signed a motion of no-confidence in their president and, at worst, Majola was expected to receive another wrap on the knuckles.