Criminal probe urged for top S. African official

CRICKET: JOHANNESBURG, March 10 (AFP) - A South African inquiry on Friday recommended that prosecutors open a case against cricket boss Gerald Majola for a $600,000 bonus scandal linked to the hosting of top international tournaments.The commission was tasked by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula to look into graft claims surrounding South Africa's hosting of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy in 2009.

An independent audit by accounting firm KPMG has already found that Majola and other top officials secretly got four separate bonuses totalling more than 4.5 million rand ($590,000, 415,000 euros) for hosting the matches.

The commission headed by retired judge Chris Nicholson said Friday that prosecutors should open a case into violations of corruption and corporate law.

"We believe there is a prima facie case of non-disclosure concerning the bonuses and irregularities with regard to travel and other costs," Nicholson said.

Prosecutors should also open a case against CSA's former chief financial officer Don McIntosh, he said.

Nicholson also recommended that CSA's board suspend Majola with pay for 180 days, as stipulated in his contract.

CSA president and anti-corruption crusader Mtutuzeli Nyoka was fired last year for insisting that the organisation take action on what he alleged were corrupt bonus payments to Majola and other staff.

The bonus scandal has tarnished cricket's image in South Africa, making it difficult to find sponsors.