There were dramatic scenes at EP Rugby’s Imatu Building offices yesterday as police were called in following scuffles between the union’s security staff and members of disgruntled clubs.A group of nine rugby clubs and 15 Kings players met outside EP’s offices yesterday to demonstrate their unhappiness with president Cheeky Watson and the union’s leadership.
The players, led by scrumhalf Kevin Luiters and centre Ronnie Cooke, delivered a petition signed by 32 playing staff demanding several prerequisites be met before they return to work:
l A pledge by the Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) and the South African Rugby Union (Saru) that all players’ outstanding salaries and benefits be paid on before December 18;
l A vote by member clubs in favour or not in favour of the current EPRU executive committee on or before December 12;
l Credible rugby turnaround specialists be permitted to present proposals of a sustainable funding model in association with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality on or before December 11;
l A vote of confidence by the EPRU clubs on the new proposal, and administration and management leadership, to take place on or before Saturday December 12.
EP Kings captain Luke Watson was also in attendance and sat in his car for a period before joining the group.
The players confirmed they handed EPRU president Watson the petition but had no further comment on their hour-long meeting with the president.
Luiters did, however, speak before the meeting with Watson. “We are appealing for a special general meeting or an annual general meeting (AGM) to be held, then things can be taken from there.
“We will not play for the Eastern Province Rugby Union or the Southern Kings franchise entity in the Super Rugby campaign, nor will we be at practices.
“A lot of the players are emotionally, financially broken and it is difficult to see your brothers in this state when no measures have been taken to aid them.”
The parties had arrived at Imatu House at around 10am only to be met by closed gates. After a while the players were allowed through to meet with Watson.
But then a scuffle broke out at the gate between security and members of the Rugby Transformation Coalition who had joined in solidarity with the clubs.
“Police were called to assist when Qondekile Sompondo of Grassroots became physical with EP Rugby security and tried to force his way into the EPRU offices and the meeting,” EP Rugby said.
The Dispatch has confirmed that Sompondo coaches rugby at Rhodes University. He said late yesterday he did not act violently at the EP union gates but was “manhandled” by security officials. “As clubs, we own EP. They have to account to us. Now we have placed them in offices, they place security guards at the gate to try and stop us. They are running away from accounting.”
Kwaru rugby legend Bomza Nkohla added his weight to the clubs’ and players’ pleas. “Where is the money? These players are going to be traumatised because their families need food, clothing.”
The Nelson Mandela Bay Ratepayers Association’s Kobus Gerber said clubs are not aware of the financial implications. “As the major shareholder in EP Rugby Pty Ltd, they will be held liable for all the debts incurred.”
Rugby Transformation Coalition chairman Batwini Matika said they were now considering going to the commercial crimes unit to probe the movement of money. “We are tightening up the screws. Something has got to give.”
Watson said he was well aware of the challenges his players were facing and that the union was attempting to resolve the matter.
EP union mired in controversy
A group of nine rugby clubs and 15 Kings players met outside EP’s offices yesterday to demonstrate their unhappiness with president Cheeky Watson and the union’s leadership.
The players, led by scrumhalf Kevin Luiters and centre Ronnie Cooke, delivered a petition signed by 32 playing staff demanding several prerequisites be met before they return to work:
l A pledge by the Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) and the South African Rugby Union (Saru) that all players’ outstanding salaries and benefits be paid on before December 18;
l A vote by member clubs in favour or not in favour of the current EPRU executive committee on or before December 12;
l Credible rugby turnaround specialists be permitted to present proposals of a sustainable funding model in association with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality on or before December 11;
l A vote of confidence by the EPRU clubs on the new proposal, and administration and management leadership, to take place on or before Saturday December 12.
EP Kings captain Luke Watson was also in attendance and sat in his car for a period before joining the group.
The players confirmed they handed EPRU president Watson the petition but had no further comment on their hour-long meeting with the president.
Luiters did, however, speak before the meeting with Watson. “We are appealing for a special general meeting or an annual general meeting (AGM) to be held, then things can be taken from there.
“We will not play for the Eastern Province Rugby Union or the Southern Kings franchise entity in the Super Rugby campaign, nor will we be at practices.
“A lot of the players are emotionally, financially broken and it is difficult to see your brothers in this state when no measures have been taken to aid them.”
The parties had arrived at Imatu House at around 10am only to be met by closed gates. After a while the players were allowed through to meet with Watson.
But then a scuffle broke out at the gate between security and members of the Rugby Transformation Coalition who had joined in solidarity with the clubs.
“Police were called to assist when Qondekile Sompondo of Grassroots became physical with EP Rugby security and tried to force his way into the EPRU offices and the meeting,” EP Rugby said.
The Dispatch has confirmed that Sompondo coaches rugby at Rhodes University. He said late yesterday he did not act violently at the EP union gates but was “manhandled” by security officials. “As clubs, we own EP. They have to account to us. Now we have placed them in offices, they place security guards at the gate to try and stop us. They are running away from accounting.”
Kwaru rugby legend Bomza Nkohla added his weight to the clubs’ and players’ pleas. “Where is the money? These players are going to be traumatised because their families need food, clothing.”
The Nelson Mandela Bay Ratepayers Association’s Kobus Gerber said clubs are not aware of the financial implications. “As the major shareholder in EP Rugby Pty Ltd, they will be held liable for all the debts incurred.”
Rugby Transformation Coalition chairman Batwini Matika said they were now considering going to the commercial crimes unit to probe the movement of money. “We are tightening up the screws. Something has got to give.”
Watson said he was well aware of the challenges his players were facing and that the union was attempting to resolve the matter.
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