Botha slams 'jobs for pals' in Border
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:14
Petty politics and sinister forces are killing Border Rugby. That's the belief of Border Rugby Football Union (BRFU) general manager Leon Botha.
Speaking out in the wake of the news that the BRFU could be placed under the curatorship of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), Botha said the hunger for power and position had caused irreparable damage to Border Rugby over the years.
"We also have a situation where people with no proper rugby knowledge, vision or business acumen have been appointed onto past executives or the board by friends," he said.
Botha added that the instability within the BRFU was caused by people who falsely pretended to serve rugby.
"It has been a case of jobs for pals," he said.
Botha added that the BRFU had been embroiled in politics as far back as 2003, when then president William Caga was challenged and finally ousted by junior vice-president Mike Stofile.
A walkout by most of the delegates led by Queenstown's Zola Yibe during the annual meeting led to a stand-off between Caga and voters.
"Caga was accused of being too dictatorial and a vote of no-confidence was passed by the protesters. The same sequence of events appears to be unfolding now, so there are again sinister forces at work."
Botha also said the inability of past executives to work within a budget dating back to 2004 had also led to untold financial problems.
"I believe former directors and executive members should be held accountable for the loss of millions of Rands as the current executive are now faced with the debt problem."
Botha said he was in the process of securing audited statements dating from 2004 which he said he would present as proof of maladministration to SA Rugby.
Botha is to meet with SA Rugby officials next Tuesday in Cape Town.
Asked about the current financial situation of Border Rugby, Botha said this was the first year the BRFU had stuck within their budget, also honouring all statutory obligations such as VAT and pay-as-you-earn.
According to Botha, who took over as BRFU general manager in 2005, ZAR1,8-million (US$227,000) of debt has been settled in the past two years.
"Good news is that the BRFU along with 10 other provinces have been handed ZAR2,1-million [US$265,000] by SARU following the successful signing of the Supersport deal regarding broadcast rights.
"Unfortunately though, due to the current instability, our application for East London to be the headquarters of the Eastern Cape franchise is under threat as is the naming rights of the Absa Stadium, worth ZAR500000 [US$63,000] per annum."
Two rugby academies planned for 2009 in East London could also be derailed.
The one academy is a joint venture between the BRFU, the Department of Sport and the Department of Public Works.
The second academy being planned but not yet signed off, is a joint venture between the Border Bulldogs and Sharks.
Returning to the current situation, Botha admitted the BRFU had lost its bite largely due to the financial instability accumulated over the years which took attention away from core business.
"We can't make proper decisions as there's always a financial deadlock somewhere regarding club or sub-union competitions or the running of day-to-day affairs."
Botha also conceded staff morale was very low, but said that should SARU step in, all salaried staff would retain their jobs.
SAPA
