The Roux Situation at SARU

The following from News24:-
"The Executive Council of SA Rugby have confirmed in a statement that CEO Jurie Roux retains their unanimous support.

This despite reports of serious mismanagement against Roux stemming from his time at Stellenbosch University where it is alleged that he “manipulated” various financial management systems to favour the rugby programme.

The announcement comes after SA Rugby sought expert legal opinion on the issue.

Advocate SA Cilliers SC and Professor Michael Katz, of ENSafrica, were asked to review SA Rugby’s handling of the matter and the relevant labour law, based on the available evidence.

Their review confirmed that Executive Council had appropriately applied its fiduciary duties and also advised that it would be an unfair labour practice to take action against an employee on perceptions of third parties or on the basis of a report of which the facts had not been tested in court.

It was recommended that SA Rugby continue to employ Roux as long as he performed the duties expected of his position.

As far as SA Rugby are concerned, the matter is closed until the outcome of any legal action between Roux and the University of Stellenbosch is finalized."

This was exactly the opinion I expressed when dealing with the issue previously.  Roux can only be charged by SARU of misconduct after the issue of Stellenbosch University has been dealt with in Court. 

However, this is a real disaster for Hoskins - who tried to undermine the situation by his declarations over the last three weeks.  One has to wonder how long he is going to last as SARU President and what impact the internal fight will have on the appointment of the Springbok coach.  Hoskins tried to squeeze Coetzee into that position - but is likely to find he does not have the support of the major unions in that case.   Without the support of the disgusting Cheeky Watson - he will find himself in rough waters.   That is I believe the reason why Watson is being protected by both Hoskins and the Government - who don't want the matter to go to a stage where a vote of no confidence in Watson is allowed.  

I do think that the reason for not bailing out the Kings financially by SARU is the fact that Hoskins could not convince the SARU Executive to fund the bail-out.  The Government cannot make a R100 000 000 bail out either - it would be too big a scandal if they do so in an election year.  The Nelson M andela Metro is already in trouble because they illegally routed money to the Kings and the end of that is not in sight either

This is going to get funnier and funnier as times go on - tragically so as it affects the appointment of the Springbok coach - which should have been appointed in January already,    

      

 Charlie Harvey aka. Arlecchino .....at  http://www.supersupporter.net/




 

14 hrs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/453967694764671/524552857706154/?notif_t=group_activity

Dear Adriaan

I refer to your column in the City Press at the weekend headlined: “Why does nobody care about Jurie Rouxgate?”

You lament the fact there is no national outcry about the serious allegations that SARU CEO, Jurie Roux “siphoned off R35 million” from Stellenbosch University to fund the Maties rugby club.

Welcome to my world Adriaan.

I’ve been exposing the corruption, cronyism and maladministration in SA sport for the last four years and there has been no national outcry, due in large to a very conflicted and silent SA sports media.

The corruption is rife from the Sports Ministry to SASCOC to the National Lottery Distribution agencies to a number of sporting federations including SA Rugby (SARU).

Ironically, it was me who broke the story which you refer to as “Jurie Rouxgate” back in 2013 and Í wrote a column stating: “The University of Stellenbosch is currently investigating a trail of major financial irregularities, which one insider said, could bring SA Rugby to its knees”.

Perhaps, the chickens are now coming home to roost.

There was no whistle-blower.

I was digging on the internet into SARU agents after rugby journalist, Mark Keohane had acted as an unaccredited agent for EP Kings captain, Luke Watson and came across the story about Chris de Beer and his dismissal from the university. I chased the story for weeks and never let it go.

A third party then told me I was on the right track.

I’m not looking for a pat on the back (that’s reserved for SASCOC officials when they predict 10 Olympic medals and we get six) but give credit where credit is due.

We hear it a lot about the vibrant media in SA making officials accountable and herein lies the problem for sport.

Have you ever asked why your Naspers partners, SuperSport or Carte Blanche (M-Net) haven’t been running the “Jurie Rouxgate” story or other sports corruption scandals?

I would be very interested to hear the answers.

I hope your persistence with this story and good investigative work is not a Naspers “smoke screen” for what is really happening behind closed doors. Sports Minister, Fikile Mbalula gets more airtime on SuperSport than most athletes and a former Ministry spokesperson, Graham Abrahams (SuperSport Director of Enterprises & Regulatory) nurtures that relationship.

Speaking of Mbalula, he has been very quiet on the rugby scandal and threw a hospital pass to his deputy, Gert Oosthuizen who was quoted as saying:

“A presentation will be made to us (by SARU) after the completion of their own investigation and we will step in if needed. But for now we have to respect SARU’s independence.”

What a load of …………

Former Cricket SA CEO, Gerald Majola will look like a saint once all the rugby dirt comes out but yet Majola had to face a commission of inquiry ordered by the Sports Minister.

Why is there no urgent COI for Roux and company?

The answer may lie in the serious allegation that corrupt stakeholders in SA Rugby are making money with funds that come from government to advance transformation.

Another big red flag is the payment of R90 million per annum to “My Players” for something called ‘Collective Image Rights of the players’? The rights are supposedly controlled by SARPA, a trade union, but the R90m pa for five years is paid to a Pty Ltd.

Apparently, the players are the shareholders but should any player ask for the financials, their curiosity is ‘controlled’.

Former Absa Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, Louis von Zeuner was brought in by SARU to head up My Players a couple years ago and is often seen close to Mbalula at rugby test matches.

Von Zeuner is a Cricket SA board member as well and has become very powerful.

Then there’s the SARU deputy president and SASCOC board member, Mark Alexander who I’ve exposed for receiving kickbacks for a SARU commercial contract renewal, which was flagged in the Primedia Sport financials.

Perhaps, that’s why there has been no outcry from 702/EWN Sport (Primedia).

After a week, I’m still waiting for a response from EWN news editor, Katy Katapodis to my email asking:

“As a trusted media organisation, how much longer is Primedia going to withhold the kickbacks information from the public?”

Alexander is close to Mbalula through his SASCOC and Lottery links and was Chairman of the Durban 2022 Commonwealth Bid on SARU time and is now angling for the SARU presidency.

Meanwhile, current SARU president, Oregan Hoskins did his SuperSport sponsored MBA for two years on SARU time.

Conflict city.

So, Roux has been left to run a “mini FIFA” with some strong backroom help but without anyone looking over his shoulder.

Lastly Adriaan, Rapport have broken stories about gross financial and tender irregularities with the SA sports awards. Why did you guys back off especially after one of your journalists were threatened?

That should have told you something. You were on the right track.

The Sports Ministry (with their dirty conduits eg. Sports Trust), SASCOC and the Lottery Distribution agencies are the key to closing the door on SA sports corruption.

That’s the money trail that needs to be followed but will the conflicted mainstream media do it?

Regards
Graeme

Photo: Fikile Mbalula and Mark Alexander on athlete’s Commonwealth Games victory parade in Sandton partnered by Primedia/LeadSA
Courtesy: twitter

 There is no way that the above story can be taken seriously on a legal basis.   Corruption is obviously a extremely serious problem and there is not a Government institution where corruption has not raised its head at some stage or another.   However, allegations must be proven on a legal basis and not be made without due process.   
The situation is clear - if allegations of corruption have been reported in the media it does not mean that it is in fact legally-based.  W hat SARU has done is not a cover-up but a process to be followed until a legal conclusion has been established in a court of law or by a another competent authority like for instance the Public Protector,   
Until those processes have been completed nothing can be done by SARU or any other competent institution.          

 Oumaaik, have you heard of Graeme Joffe, read any of his articles ?

Graeme Joffe: 'Why I had to flee SA, and thanks for amazing ...

 I read all his articles and they remain articles until they are proved to be correct.  Joffe had all the rights to take his detractors to court or report them to the Public Protector.  But he did neither - and the threats against his life came from sources connected to the Government - not necessarily SARU.
The fact is that Joffe can write anything he wants to - but that does not necessarily mean he is correct in what he writes.   I read all newspapers and some stuff may be true - but prove must still be legally established.  I know the article quoted by you came from Joffe and still think he has a serious point - but that point must be proven judicially.
Journalists get their stories from sources with own agendas and that may be proven wrong.   I do not take most newspaper reports seriously until fully investigated by a competent authority.