SARU should investigate allegations of referee bribery itself – not Boland Rugby, demands Cape Forum
Cape Forum is calling on the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to investigate allegations of referee bribery in the Boland itself. The organisation will also offer legal assistance to persons with information regarding incidents where referees were bribed to blow in favour of a specific team, as well as to those who fear they will be victimised or intimidated if they come forward with information.
Cape Forum made this request in a letter to Mark Alexander, president of SARU, on Monday morning. This follows media reports over the weekend about allegations of match-fixing at Boland Rugby and that some referees were receiving bribes to help certain teams win.
“Cape Forum does not believe that the Boland Rugby Union is suitable to conduct its own investigation into the allegations, as the union has been aware of it for some time. However, the union first waited until a whistleblower lodged an official complaint,” says Heindrich Wyngaard, Chairperson of Cape Forum.
He further says that it is well known in the Boland that Bennie van Rooi, President of Boland Rugby, has personal relationships with some club chairpersons. Wyngaard considers these relationships to be improper.
According to reports, Linston Manuels, manager of Boland’s referees, is being implicated in the allegations. “You cannot be an accused and also the magistrate,” says Wyngaard about Boland Rugby’s decision to have its own disciplinary committee investigate the allegations.
Wyngaard further says that if the allegations are true, it points to a bigger issue than just a “disciplinary malaise” at Boland Rugby. The union’s entire management style and culture, corporate governance systems and ethical values may be called into question.
“Why this concerns Cape Forum is because rugby is often the only vehicle through which young people from the Boland can be lifted out of their miserable socio-economic circumstances. We see the results in the composition of provincial teams up to the highest level, but it starts with the more than 200 clubs in the Boland,” says Wyngaard.
Cape Forum has been closely involved with communities in the Boland for the past three years of its existence to, among other things, help with the central role that rugby plays in building self-pride and uplifting families. “We therefore supported the union on occasion with a sponsorship for its lower leagues and were also involved as a donor with a few clubs in the Groot Uitdaag competition,” says Wyngaard.
In the letter to Alexander, Wyngaard writes: “Boland boys and girls certainly make their mark across the spectrum. One therefore wants rugby in the Boland to always be healthy and well-managed. Any event that calls this into question is worrying, such as the report on match-fixing.”
Cape Forum believes that any reservations about the investigation into the allegations could cause brand damage to rugby in general – specifically in the Boland but also to the SARU brand. With the Top 12 rugby tournament just around the corner, Boland Rugby cannot afford to suffer a loss of integrity right now.
If the allegations of bribery are true, referees’ safety could be put at risk, while it could also reflect adversely on the Top 12’s main sponsors and the Boland Rugby Union’s equity partners.
