Protests planned as Zelt and Maasdorp 'team up' against SARU

The South African Rugby Union is going to be forced to fight battles on two fronts, as supporters of suspended Western Province Rugby Football Union President Zelt Marais and Eastern Province Rugby Union President Maasdorp Cannon plan to ‘protest’ SARU’s actions against their “leaders”.

Last week Canon was slapped with seven charges following his comments against the SA Rugby leadership and the Springbok emblem during the memorial service of former prop Godfrey Thorne in February.

And the week before SARU President Mark Alexander wrote to the WPRFU clubs and informed them that they will charge Marais with ‘misconduct’.

SARU made it clear, in a letter to WPRFU clubs, that Marais has no ‘locus standi‘ in respect of the affairs of WPRFU and is not allowed to use stationary of the union – making it clear the meeting, planned for Monday, ‘will not’ be taking place at Newlands.

“SARU distances itself from this meeting, where it appears the ex-President [sic] seeks legitimacy or claims to have an association with WPRFU,” SARU administrator Rian Oberholzer said in his letter to the clubs.

* The complete SARU letter will be posted below!

However, this has not silenced the two polemical and combative officials.

Neither has it stopped their supporters from organising rallies and protests.

In both the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, members of the SARU SACOS Legends have mobilised in support of the two embattled officials.

Even though SARU has made it clear that Newlands will be ‘locked’ ahead of Monday’s planned ‘meeting with clubs’ by Marais, and that the event will not have any official status, Marais is adamant it will take place.

And SSL is planning to be there in numbers to support Marais.

A letter, penned by the SSL Western Cape secretary, said they will embark on a ‘support campaign’ for Marais and “all individuals that have been treated unfairly”.

They call on their supporters to bring ‘numbers’ and meet outside the WPRFU boardroom at Newlands.

* The SSL letter in full:

Good evening All SSL Legends

This coming Monday, 21 March 2022 we will embark on a support campaign for Zelt Maria’s and all individuals that has been treated unfairly between the lines of rugby for so many years.

1.We will meet outside the boardroom of WPRU at 14:30, this game we have to play
2. Braai would be nice from 13:00 if we have members that can arrive early.
3. Posters A3 page size or bigger with wording that don’t bring our SSL into trouble..

Example:
“Keep hands off WPRU”
“Keep hands off Zelt Marias”
“Apply SA rugby constitution on Jurie”
“Jurie must go”
“Stop contracts of Hemisphere”
“who’s the directors of current companies established”
Anything else in line.
“WPRU clubs first”

4. We have request observes status, if granted for at least three SSL members inside the meeting venue. If given three ExCo members will go in.

5. The rest of our members will stand in solidarity with Our clubs in WPRU.

6. Members and club members will be address outside by our Western Cape SSL EXCO members w.r.t further plans and role-out to ensure that fairness and transparency is taking place from where we stand.

7. We urge members to travel together on Monday, the clubs that support this will come with 4 – 5 members in support of this course.

8. The possibility of the media that will be present is 100% because of how they portray this as a “stand off”, so we must be present. For us as SSL to be at the front of the new era of rugby as a code of sport in the country is imperative.

9. Please confirm your presence on site or directly to me….don’t drive alone bring your friends ,family that have the same views and concerns with. Rugby in our context have always included our families.

All for one and one for All, the more the better for our course.

Regards
SSL WC
Secretary

The Eastern Cape branch is even more fanatical, calling themselves the “true conscious” of non-racial rugby, challenged SARU to touch their man, Cannon.

“The President of EPRU, duly and democratically elected by the masses at the cradle of black rugby in the Eastern Cape, was nurtured and taught by his SA Rugby elders not to back down and he never will,” said tag Mitchell – like Cannon, a self-proclaimed All Black supporter and an advocator for the removal of the Springbok emblem.

“SA Rugby Legends in the Eastern Cape will not allow Maasdorp Cannon to walk alone against racist rugby hierarchy, like what happened to Allister ‘Toetie’ Coetzee.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com

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