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 Ntini convicted of rape South African cricketer faces expulsion from national team
Posted: Friday April 23, 1999 09:28 AM
EAST LONDON, South Africa (AP) -- South African cricketer Makhaya Ntini, a fast bowler who made history when he became the first black to play for the national side, was convicted of rape Friday. Ntini, 22, broke down and wept after the sentence was pronounced and had to be helped from the courtroom, the SAPA news agency said. Ntini was found guilty of raping a 21-year-old student in December at the Buffalo Park cricket ground in East London after giving her a ride in his car. He maintained his innocence and received the full backing of the United Cricket Board during the trial. The board on Friday had no immediate comment on the verdict or whether Ntini would be dropped from the national squad. The player had been named to the 13-member team traveling to Britain in May for the World Cup. Ntini debuted as a provincial player when he represented Border against England in the 1995-96 season. He was chosen to play for the South African A team and replaced injured Boland player Roger Telemachus when South Africa toured Australia more than a year ago. Ntini also was part of Shaun Pollock's gold-medal winning team at the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia in September. Cricket has traditionally been dominated by whites in South Africa. Government sports officials have been pushing for the sport to integrate more rapidly. A sentencing date was not immediately set.
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