Graeme Smith gets clean chit in alleged racism row by independent panel

In the latest turn of events, Cricket South Africa have announced that their former director of cricketer Graeme Smith has received a clean chit from all the racism allegations by an independent panel. It is to be noted that Smith and current head coach Mark Boucher were among several CSA employees who were alleged of doing racist behavior. The fingers were pointed at the duo after the ‘tentative findings’ by Social Justice and Nation Building Ombudsman in 2021.

Talking of Boucher, he was put in the dark spot of racism by former teammate Paul Adams and was also pointed out by his former assistant coach Enoch Nkwe, in order to sideline him. Though the former cricketer has not accepted any of the allegations to be true, he would be facing a disciplinary hearing next month on account of serious misconduct.

Smith, whose tenure as the director of cricket came to an end last month, has been cleared that he was in no way involved in a racism row against former player Thami Tsolekile between 2012 and 2014. There also has been no evidence on the table which could have proved that he was against Black leadership in the game. It also has been concluded that Smith had no involvement in favouring Boucher over Nkwe in the selection process for the national side’s head coach in 2019.

It is appropriate to recognize extraordinary contribution Graeme Smith has made to SA cricket: CSA

“The manner in which these issues have been dealt with, 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,” said Lawson Naidoo, chair of the CSA board as quoted by India Today.

“Now that finality on these processes has been reached, it is appropriate to recognize the extraordinary contribution that Graeme has made to South African cricket,” he added.