Chaos reigned on Saturday when the EP Rugby Union held an ill-tempered annual meeting at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium that was marred by vicious brawling, disruptions and protests.
The media was barred from the meeting, which turned ugly when disgruntled rugby officials fought their way past security officials to gain access to the main hall at the stadium where the meeting was being held.
There was chaos when a suspended EP Rugby Union member, Chico Februarie, and Spring Rose official Amir Mpayipeli, burst into the meeting.
There were ugly scenes earlier, when Februarie and Mpayipeli fought their way past EP Rugby security officials to gain access to the stadium.
The meeting was later adjourned to a later date because more clarity was required regarding the financial matters of the cash-strapped union.
Because of the constitution, an expected vote of no-confidence was not tabled against under-fire EP Rugby Union president Cheeky Watson by unhappy clubs.
The arrival of the angry officials resulted in pandemonium inside the hall and the meeting was adjourned for more than an hour, as EP Rugby officials remonstrated with the unhappy officials.
The unhappy officials were later told to submit their complaints in writing, and assured that they would be answered by SA Rugby and the Sports Council at a separate meeting. The matter of Februarie’s suspension and other matters that were causing unhappiness would also be addressed.
One delegate said SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux’s eyes were as “wide as saucers” as the drama unfolded at the stormy meeting, where tempers became frayed. When the meeting finally resumed, the unhappy delegates were allowed to remain inside the hall.
Afterwards MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Pemmy Majodina held a media briefing, which did not include Watson.
Before the briefing started the delegates at the main table could be heard asking where Watson was, as they wanted to get matters under way.
It was only after they were told that Watson had left the stadium that they conducted the briefing.
Asked why Watson was not present, Mkhululi Magada, of the East Cape Sports Council, said: “It was agreed the people who will speak on the matter are the office of the MEC and the office of the Sports Council.
“So for Mr Watson to be here when executive members are here ... this is the high office of EP Rugby. We cannot reduce this matter to Mr Watson as a person, but to the institution, and the institution is here,” Magada said.
While Watson was absent from the briefing, EP Rugby executive members Freddie Makoki and Phillip Joseph sat alongside Magada and Majodina.
“The meeting did not start in a very acceptable manner. Emotions are always up when people have their own perception.
“In each and every institution, you will find such blood warming up towards the meetings,” Majodina said.
“I am thankful that out of 126 clubs, 97 were present and there were six apologies. The financial statements were tabled in the AGM and they were engaged by the delegates.
“However, the delegates have identified a lot of issues and a lot of errors and a lot of clarity-seeking questions on the financial statements. The AGM resolved, because of the gravity and the nature of such clarity-seeking questions, that we need more information.
“EP Rugby was therefore mandated to approach its auditors, based on the information asked for by the delegates here, to go and get more clarity,” Majodina said.
“We want to ensure that our heritage is not eroded. If you approach the private sector for sponsorship, you must be sure of your books.
“Because no one can just sponsor you when they are not sure of the status of your financials.”
In another development, the rugby players’ organisation, MyPlayers, confirmed that an application for liquidation had been brought by the SA Rugby Players’ Association against EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd.
EP Rugby have said they will oppose the application.
Chaos erupts at EP Rugby Union meeting
The media was barred from the meeting, which turned ugly when disgruntled rugby officials fought their way past security officials to gain access to the main hall at the stadium where the meeting was being held.
There was chaos when a suspended EP Rugby Union member, Chico Februarie, and Spring Rose official Amir Mpayipeli, burst into the meeting.
There were ugly scenes earlier, when Februarie and Mpayipeli fought their way past EP Rugby security officials to gain access to the stadium.
The meeting was later adjourned to a later date because more clarity was required regarding the financial matters of the cash-strapped union.
Because of the constitution, an expected vote of no-confidence was not tabled against under-fire EP Rugby Union president Cheeky Watson by unhappy clubs.
The arrival of the angry officials resulted in pandemonium inside the hall and the meeting was adjourned for more than an hour, as EP Rugby officials remonstrated with the unhappy officials.
The unhappy officials were later told to submit their complaints in writing, and assured that they would be answered by SA Rugby and the Sports Council at a separate meeting. The matter of Februarie’s suspension and other matters that were causing unhappiness would also be addressed.
One delegate said SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux’s eyes were as “wide as saucers” as the drama unfolded at the stormy meeting, where tempers became frayed. When the meeting finally resumed, the unhappy delegates were allowed to remain inside the hall.
Afterwards MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Pemmy Majodina held a media briefing, which did not include Watson.
Before the briefing started the delegates at the main table could be heard asking where Watson was, as they wanted to get matters under way.
It was only after they were told that Watson had left the stadium that they conducted the briefing.
Asked why Watson was not present, Mkhululi Magada, of the East Cape Sports Council, said: “It was agreed the people who will speak on the matter are the office of the MEC and the office of the Sports Council.
“So for Mr Watson to be here when executive members are here ... this is the high office of EP Rugby. We cannot reduce this matter to Mr Watson as a person, but to the institution, and the institution is here,” Magada said.
While Watson was absent from the briefing, EP Rugby executive members Freddie Makoki and Phillip Joseph sat alongside Magada and Majodina.
“The meeting did not start in a very acceptable manner. Emotions are always up when people have their own perception.
“In each and every institution, you will find such blood warming up towards the meetings,” Majodina said.
“I am thankful that out of 126 clubs, 97 were present and there were six apologies. The financial statements were tabled in the AGM and they were engaged by the delegates.
“However, the delegates have identified a lot of issues and a lot of errors and a lot of clarity-seeking questions on the financial statements. The AGM resolved, because of the gravity and the nature of such clarity-seeking questions, that we need more information.
“EP Rugby was therefore mandated to approach its auditors, based on the information asked for by the delegates here, to go and get more clarity,” Majodina said.
“We want to ensure that our heritage is not eroded. If you approach the private sector for sponsorship, you must be sure of your books.
“Because no one can just sponsor you when they are not sure of the status of your financials.”
In another development, the rugby players’ organisation, MyPlayers, confirmed that an application for liquidation had been brought by the SA Rugby Players’ Association against EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd.
EP Rugby have said they will oppose the application.
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