An unhappy and acrimonious week for South African cricket ended on Saturday when Percy Sonn was re-elected president of the United Cricket Board, beating off a challenge from Dr Mtutulezi Nyoka by what is thought to be a comfortable majority.

There was, however, a change to the vice-presidency where KwaZulu-Natal's Robbie Kurz was elected ahead of the incumbent Richard Harrison. Nyoka had been nominated for the vice-presidency as well, but withdrew his nomination after his defeat by Sonn.

Afterwards Nyoka tried to suggest that the leaking of a letter last weekend in which he listed a number of complaints concerning the UCB as well as a claim that he was being investigated by the elite Scorpions investigative unit, of which Sonn is the head, did not form part of a campaign for the presidency. His arguments were unconvincing, however. Few observers believe that the release of the letter and Nyoka's election bid were unconnected and most are of the view that the letter was part of a strategy that backfired against the newly-elected Gauteng chairman.

Nyoka offered no apologies for what Sonn, in his president's report, described as a "presidential campaign with a difference" and the "unpleasantness of the past few weeks". The challenger also said that that he still intended to clear his name of "rumours" that he had used his position on the World Cup policy committee to enrich himself and insisted that these "rumours" had reached "high places" in the Scorpions unit.

Sonn was reluctant to add to his comments in his president's report, but he did say upon election that he did not regard the presidency as "something that one can own" and he pledged to "behave like a servant which I am".

Sonn said afterwards that his position as head of the Scorpions unit and the work of the unit itself were governed by statute.

Following the election, Kurz's first duty was to speak to both Sonn and Nyoka after which the General Council issued the following statement: "The Council congratulates the president on his election, expresses its disappointment at the unfortunate public of the contest and is convinced that claims about corruption relating to both candidates have no substance.

"The Council considers the matter closed and both parties have committed themselves to ensuring that South African is united and looking forward to the next season against India and Australia. Furthermore, the UCB intends to deliver the best World Cup yet."

John Blair was re-elected treasurer and the three black African representatives elected were Tim Khumalo of Free State, Peter Bacela of Border and North West's Gabriel "Oupa" Nkagisang.

In his treasurer's report, Blair noted that income from incoming tours and television rights had dropped during the past financial year. This could be attributed to the tours by Sri Lanka and New Zealand and TV revenue would be "substantially higher in the new year due to India and Australia touring in the new season".

Blair also criticised the R14,4-million loaned to affiliates, noting that "this amount has shown a steady increase over the years and can be attributed to poor financial management/disciplines at certain of the affiliates. This matter will be addressed as a matter of priority in the new year".

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