Graeme Smith has been exonerated of all racism charges

Two independent arbitrators, Adv. Ngwako Maenetje SC and Adv. Michael Bishop, have cleared Graeme Smith, former Director of Cricket of South Africa, of several racism claims due to a lack of evidence against him.

CSA’s Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) procedure had led to the arbitration. Adv. Maenetje SC and Adv. Bishop decided in the arbitration award that:

• There was no evidence that Mr. Smith engaged in racial discrimination against Mr. Thami Tsolekile between 2012 and 2014;
• There was no evidence that Mr. Smith was racially biased against black leadership at CSA; and
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• There was no evidence that Mr. Smith’s appointment of Mr. Mark Boucher, rather than Mr. Enoch Nkwe, as coach of the men’s Proteas team in 2019 constituted unfair racial discrimination.

“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,” Lawson Naidoo, Chair of the CSA Board, said.

Naidoo went on to say: “Now that these processes have reached their conclusion, it is right to acknowledge Graeme’s outstanding contribution to South African cricket, first as the longest-serving test captain in history and then as Director of Cricket from 2019 to 2022.”

“His role as DoC has been essential in the reconstruction of the Proteas Men’s squad, and he has set a good basis for his replacement.”

CSA noted in a press release issued on Sunday that “Mr. Smith has had to endure inappropriate public disclosures of his personal information, including his compensation, during the SJN process, which CSA understands has been painful for him. The CSA regrets that this happened and wishes Mr. Smith all the best in the future.”