NC Cricket turmoil deepens

THE SUSPENDED CEO of Northern Cape Cricket (NCC), Thapelo January, and the Northern Cape Heat team manager, Mbulelo Bosman, have been advised to approach the Labour Court in a fresh bid to prevent their disciplinary hearings from proceeding.

- SANDI KWON HOO

The pair were placed on precautionary suspension in May with full pay, after adverse findings were made in an internal audit report.

A forensic report, compiled by Nexus Forensic Services in September, recommended that charges including fraud, racketeering, money laundering, theft and corruption be investigated at NCC.

The report details a web of jaw-dropping transactions, including undisclosed payments, personal bank transfers and exorbitant commissions not reflected on the payroll.

January and Bosman approached the Northern Cape High Court to urgently review the appointment of NCC administrator Jesse Chellan, arguing that he lacked legal authority to discipline them.

Chellan was appointed in February after the NCC board was temporarily dissolved.

Both men - who were earlier declared delinquent directors by court order - claimed that their constitutional rights were infringed by Cricket South Africa (CSA).

On the same day his application was brought before the Northern Cape High Court on October 24, January stated in a PowerFM radio interview that his laptop had been seized because it contained information he had shared with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) regarding the alleged embezzlement of R35 million at NCC before his tenure.

He maintained that he was being made a “scapegoat”, claiming there were orchestrated attempts to dismiss him.

“NCC was bankrupt when I took office,” he said.

Bosman told the station that he had been a victim of racism at NCC.