Cricket South Africa appoints judge to chair anti-corruption unit

Johannesburg: Cricket South Africa has appointed retired judge Bernard Ngoepe as an Independent non-executive chairperson of CSA's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) to reaffirm the authority's commitment to eradicating irregularities in the game.

The appointment, which takes effect immediately, comes as investigations continue into alleged match-fixing activities by senior players continues after confirmation by Indian-origin former Protea player Goolam Bodi that he had attempted to influence players at the behest of unnamed bookies.

CSA has declined to comment on the investigation.

The CSA unit was established in December 2013 and reported to the CSA Chief Executive on all administrative functions.

CSA said Investigations have been and always will be independent of CSA management and henceforth all investigations will be guided by the Chairperson of the Unit.

"This appointment underscores our desire for zero tolerance in corruption matters and will remove any doubt that our ACSU investigations are indeed independent of CSA management," said CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat.

"This position is similar to that of Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who heads the ICC's ACSU. It includes being the lead person responsible for providing strategic guidance to both the Board of CSA and to the Unit in the execution of its duties and responsibilities," concluded Lorgat.

In accepting the appointment Judge Ngoepe said: "I am pleased to serve cricket through this appointment. Sport has a key role to play in our nation building and its integrity must be protected beyond reproach."

The 69-year-old Ngoepe has previously served as an Acting judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and the Supreme Court of Appeal, and was the Judge President of the North Gauteng and South Gauteng High Courts from 1999 until 2012 when he retired after 18 years of service as a judge.

Ngoepe also served as a Judge of the African Union's African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, and also as its Vice-President.

He is currently the Chancellor of the University of South Africa.