SARU stand firm as Maties sue Roux
It never rains, but it pours. That certainly rings true for the South African Rugby Union.
On the same day that SARU fired their General Manager: Referees, Andre Watson, it was confirmed that the University of Stellenbosch has instituted civil action against the union's Chief Executive Officer Jurie Roux.
Maties, as the university is popularly known, confirmed that it is suing Roux, although a spokesman for the institution declined to confirm or deny the details of the law suit.
"The university confirms that a summons was issued and served on two former employees of the university, namely messrs Jurie Roux and Chris de Beer," Maties spokesman Martin Viljoen told rugby365.
"The summons follows a forensic audit undertaken a while back that showed certain irregularities, namely the unauthorised use of university funds, that are now being claimed.
"Since the case is pending, the university cannot at this time provide further information or comment," he added.
According to media report the amount Roux and De Beer are being sued for is ZAR32-millions.
The case is set for the Western Cape High Court.
SARU remain firmly behind Roux.
"We are aware of the case and the application that has now be made to the court," SARU President Oregan Hoskins told rugby365.
"The SARU executive has interrogated the situation on a number of occasions and we are satisfied with the explanations that Jurie Roux gave to us.
"He has done an outstanding job in his role as CEO of SARU. We extended his contract in 2014 on that basis."
According to the reports court documents show that Roux and De Beer, then the Deputy Director of student fees, worked together between 2002 and 2010 – where they made "unauthorised" transfers from the university's reserve funds.
The funds are believed to have been transferred to a variety of cost points related to the Maties Rugby Club, and used for a variety of club activities – including bursaries for players.
Roux left his job as Chairperson of the Stellenbosch Rugby Club in 2010 to become SARU CEO.
De Beer was fired by the university in 2012.
Advocate Schalk Burger is acting on behalf of the university.
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
