Ray Mali says he turned down a R2 million bonus to resign as administrator of the interim Gauteng Cricket Board (GCB) because he refuses to accept more money than is stated in his contract.
“I want them to stick to the terms of the contract, which stands at R2 million for a period of two years. No more, no less,” Mali said on Tuesday.
“Ever since I started playing cricket, I have never seen it as a game that will give me money.”
Mali, a former president of the International Cricket Council, signed a two-year contract, set to end in August 2012, to assist the GCB in reviewing the provincial body’s constitution and operational structures, and to appoint a new chief executive.
Last month, however, CSA president Mtutuzeli Nyoka offered him a further R1 million – a total of R3 million for his contribution to the GCB – if he stepped down at the end of the first year.
If Mali agreed, Nyoka, who had not discussed the bonus with the CSA board, would approach the executive to have the offer cleared.
“I asked Dr Nyoka if they were trying to push me out, but he said I was doing a good job,” Mali said.
“He said he wanted me to step down for the sake of reconciliation.
“Instead of paying me for two years, I would be paid for three years for one year’s work and would be given a golden handshake.”
Mali raised the offer with the GCB and the interim executive unanimously agreed that he should turn it down.
He also approached the CSA executive, which is reeling from allegations of two bonus scandals amounting to R6.6 million which are centred around CSA chief executive Gerald Majola, at a board meeting earlier this month.
“The CSA board was of the same opinion as the interim GCB, and Dr Nyoka subsequently withdrew his offer,” Mali said.
Regardless of who ran the administration, Mali said it was critical that the interim GCB completed the process which it had been assigned.
“Even if it is not under the administration of Ray Mali, it is very important that this process is completed,” he said. – Sapa