Kings board member Bantwini Matika has been taken to task after claiming that former Springbok coach and current SuperSport analyst Nick Mallett is a racist.
Matika, who serves on the Port Elizabeth-based franchise’s executive council, reacted angrily on social media after the news that Mallett had been enlisted to help find the next Kings coach to replace Deon Davids.
The Facebook post, which has been removed, reads: As a board member of the Kings I don’t think it’s true that we need help from Racist Mallet[t] to find a suitable coach for our team. Mallet[t] is not suitable to help us and look for a coach who will be dedicated to. build a totally transformed Kings Team. Mallet[t] will never support our trans formation agenda and therefore ill equipped to choose an appropriate coach for the Kings. The board has not made any decision on the selection process and the Kind of candidate we need as Kings to demonstrate to the country what needs to be done in our franchise.
In a statement, Kings chairman Loyiso Dotwana told Netwerk24 that Matika’s tirade was unacceptable, adding that the matter will be handled internally.
While serving in his current position on SuperSport, Mallett was involved in a racial storm when fellow pundit and former Springbok wing Ashwin Willemse accused him and Naas Botha of racism. Both Mallett and Botha were cleared following an internal investigation.
The Kings recently advertised their head coach position after Davids, who had been at the helm since 2016, departed on mutual terms. It is believed plenty of interest has already been shown in the position, with the likes of Fiji coach John McKee and Namibia coach Phil Davies linked.
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