Thaindian News

Johnnesburg, July 8 (IANS) Cricket South Africa (CSA) president Mtutuzeli Nyoka, who is involved in a battle to clean up the South African board of alleged financial irregularities, claimed that his life is at risk.

After returning from the International Cricket Council (ICC) AGM in Hong Kong, Nyoka said two sources had informed him about threat to his life. Nyoka did not reveal the informers but described them as being from “official institutions in the country”.

“It wasn’t a specific threat, but I was made aware by two different sources that my security is at risk in terms of my own life. I was briefed before I went to Hong Kong about securing my own bags so that no illegal substances could be put into them,” Nyoka was quoted as saying by The Star.

“What really widened my eyes was that these were two sources, independent of each other, but who both gave me the same information,” Nyoka said.

Asked about why was his life being threatened, Nyoka said: “I can’t think that it is anything but what I’ve been asking about Cricket South Africa’s finances.”

Nyoka said the sources had informed him that he could be the target of a “botched hijacking”.

“I don’t know if it is serious, but I am trying to do what is necessary to maintain my safety.”

Nyoka is at loggerheads with the CSA over its finances, most notably over bonus payments made to senior administrative staff. The CSA removed him as president but later reinstated him following a high court order.

Accountancy firm KPMG is conducting the forensic audit of the CSA and will submit the report before the CSA board later this month.

Nyoka said he would contest for the president’s post at the CSA’s next annual general meeting in August.

“I’m not walking away, I don’t want people to support me, I want them to support what I stand for,” he said.