Province boardroom exodus goes into overdrive
NEWS: The brain drain at Newlands has gone into overdrive.
Netwerk24 reported on Wednesday that Raymond van Niekerk has resigned as an independent director of Western Province Professional Rugby Proprietary Limited.
Zelt Marais, President of the Western Province Rugby Union, was not immediately available for his reaction.
WPPR, the professional arm of the WPRFU, is controlled by a board of 11 directors.
It consisted of four independent directors; five directors that also sit on the executive committee of the union [WPRU]; and two directors nominated by the sponsors.
Three of four the independent directors have now departed – one resigned and two were shown the door.
The exodus started back in June when Kevin Kiewitz walked away from the union in protest over their handling of negotiations with Investec – a deal which has since been shelved and a loan of more than ZAR50-million paid back.
Last month two independent directors of the board, Johan van der Merwe and Andre van der Veen, were told their services were no longer required.
This week Van Niekerk handed in his resignation and in an interview with Netwerk24 said: “Enough is enough.”
Van Niekerk, a former marketing executive of Investec, is upset about the culling of board members and the loss of business acumen in the professional arm of the union.
Van der Merwe was replaced as Chairman of the board of WPPR (Pty) Ltd by political firebrand Ebrahim Rasool.
It is a move that caused great concern in the club ranks and also caused a stir among the player corps.
WPRFU is the sole shareholder of WPPR.
* We have asked Marais for reaction and will bring that as soon as it is available.
