The WPRFU 'circus' is in town

UPDATE: The canvassing and soliciting for votes at the Western Province Rugby Football Union elections on Wednesday, April 30, is proliferating to unprecedented levels.

Just days out of the first elections since 2018, threats of court interdicts and criminal charges have been aired to stop the process from proceeding.

Peter Jooste, the third administrator since SARU took control of the then ‘bankrupt’ union in October 2021, released the nominations earlier this month.

Kevin Kiewits, Ronald Bantom, Zelt Marais and Ruben Machelm are nominated for the position of President.

With no indication from SARU if his appeal against a 10-year ban has been successful (or failed), the Marais camp has come out all guns blazing.

Philip Burns, a long-time ally of Marais, has produced documentary proof of criminal charges for ‘fraud and perjury’ filed against South African Rugby Union CEO Rian Oberholzer.

He also listed volumes of submissions he filed, since early 2022, in opposition to the SARU decision to place WPRFU under administration.

Also in their crosshairs are Red Disa, the consortium that acquired a controlling stake in Western Province Professional Rugby (now called Stormers Rugby (Pty) Ltd), the entity that owns the Stormers and Western Province teams.

The consortium comprises Fynbos Ekwiteit, Ardagh Glass Packaging, and Marble Head Investments, with Ardagh also a big target in Burns’ actions.

At the same time, Attorneys acting on behalf of the Violets club threatened the administrator, Jooste, with an “urgent interdict” to halt the elections should their demands for ‘remedies’ not be met.

Other questions raised over the weekend from within the Marais camp include:
1. Why was General Manager Danny Jones not removed from his position, as he was part of the ExCo that was suspended when WPRFU was placed under administration in October 2021?
2. Why did Danny Jones and Faizel Feltman monitor the SARU-appointed administrator’s email that was given to clubs to submit their documents and nomination forms?

(Continue below ….)

Accompanying the reams of documents is an ‘evaluation’ by Gary Craul, one of the founders of Marais’ infamous War Room, of the WPRFU assets, which he says is far more than the ZAR250-million listing price of the Newlands stadium.

“It is my considered opinion that, either by design and intent, or through political processes and a negative default approach, there has been a grave injustice done to the future of the union and professional game in our province,” Craul said.

“The media has a slanted view and is not currently projecting a true reflection of the events before, during, or after the union was placed under administration by SARU.

“One of the most prized assets in the world had been sold from under the control of the union at a fraction of its value, and not in the best interests of the shareholders or any of the key stakeholders.”

He added that “no proper strategic process” to identify and insert an appropriate and superior shareholder profile and mix beneficial to the future value of the asset has been followed.

“The entire scenario of the past two years or so has, in my opinion, been underhanded, orchestrated, manipulative, opportunistic and seemingly in line with other accusations pointed at SARU and its various associates; and not as currently portrayed by very cleverly-worded [and limited] communications and media statements.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com

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