CSA challenged on Gaza controversy

Human rights NGO Citizens for Integrity has challenged Cricket SA (CSA) over its decision to strip 18-year-old David Teeger of his captaincy at the U19 Cricket World Cup, reports The Citizen. CSA initially named Teeger as captain but removed him ahead of the U-19 Cricket World Cup after his comments on the conflict in Gaza. In papers filed at the Gauteng High Court recently, Citizens for Integrity allege that CSA’s ‘security concerns’ after Teeger’s comments were unlawful, unconstitutional, and irrational. It said CSA failed to consult with its security advisers before making a decision. Witz claims that CSA has ‘failed to explain why a security threat was posed only if Teeger remained captain, but not if he remained a team member’. ‘Additionally, CSA did not outline any measures to protect Teeger and the team if such a threat truly existed. As the hosts and organisers of the tournament, CSA had an obligation to ensure the safety of their players, yet they failed to act appropriately.’ Teeger hit the headlines late last year after receiving the ‘Rising Star’ award at the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards in Johannesburg. He told the SA Jewish Report the true rising stars are the young soldiers in Israel. A CSA inquiry, led by Advocate Wim Trengove SC, cleared Teeger of wrongdoing in December. However, several rights organisations and cricket clubs condemned Teeger’s comments as ‘insensitive, unacceptable and in contradiction of government's official position about the state of Israel’.