Zimbabwe Cricket Union release report on Madondo case
It will be recalled that, during the course of the One Day International Series played by Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka, Trevor Madondo, having played in the first two encounters, was omitted from the squad for the remaining 3 matches
ZCU
19-Jan-2000
Summary of Report of the Commission on Hearings held by Mr Justice R
Korsah and Mr Justice AM Ibrahim
It will be recalled that, during the course of the One Day
International Series played by Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka, Trevor
Madondo, having played in the first two encounters, was omitted from
the squad for the remaining 3 matches.
The exclusion took place as a result of disciplinary action which
followed from Trevor Madondo's reported late attendance at a team
practice.
Subsequently, there has been considerable publicity in which
allegations have been made that Trevor Madondo's exclusion had racial
connotations. Because of the seriousness of those allegations,
Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) Board commissioned an enquiry under the
auspices of two well known Judges, namely Justices R Korsah and AM
Ibrahim, the latter being Chairman of the ZCU Disciplinary Committee.
The Honorable Judges took into account the evidence of eight
witnesses who gave evidence before them and also had regard to a
number of reports from others who had dealing in this matter.
Thereafter, a comprehensive report was completed and submitted by the
Judges to the ZCU Board.
The decision reached by the Judges was that the discipline meted out
to Trevor Madondo for the alleged offence, namely being half an hour
late for practice, was not justified.
They concluded that Trevor Madondo had been improperly treated but
indicated "that on the evidence ... heard it is not possible to
conclude with conviction that Trevor Madondo was treated as he was,
because of his race". They advised however that in the multiracial
and multicultural diverse society that we live in, there is need for
sensitivity in one's approach when dealing with issues which cross
the cultural or racial divide. They are of the view that Trevor
Madondo did not benefit from an even-handed approach from some of
those who had dealings with him.
They accepted that Trevor Madondo had arrived thirty minutes late for
practice but felt that the explanation he tendered for so doing
accorded with the probabilities. In the result the Union was
requested to compensate Trevor Madondo by making payment to him of
the monetary amount he would have earned had he remained a member of
the National Squad for the Series against Sri Lanka. The report, with
is recommendations, was unanimously accepted by the ZCU Board at its
meeting of 15 January 2000.
The ZCU Board wishes to make it abundantly clear that it never has
and never will tolerate any instance(s) of racial prejudice(s).
This incident has however, caused the Board to look into improving
its procedures relating to the general administration of the team's
affairs and the Code of Conduct to be observed by the Players.
[signed]
P. F. Chingoka
President
Zimbabwe Cricket Union
18 January 2000