Source: Ministry of Sport and Recreation
Title: Stofile: Statement on media reports of South Africa Rugby Union mismanagement
Statement by Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa, Rev Makhenkesi Stofile, following an article on alleged mismanagement of the South Africa Rugby Union
It is now common knowledge that a report after the alleged administration and mismanagement of the South Africa Rugby Union has been tabled. On Wednesday, 17 Aug 2005, the reporter of the Cape Times raised the matter with me. At that time nobody had given me a report on the issue or the response of Rugby to it. This is what I told the reporter, that I knew nothing of the report or the response to it. He then volunteered to brief me. His briefing was as follows:
The lawyers of the South African Rugby Union have tabled a damaging report, which accuses the President of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) of a whole range of mismanagement and bad governance. The reporter concluded by saying the lawyers then proposed that matters be swept under the carpet as they can be corrected. He then asked if I was surprised at the contents of the report and at the conclusion of how it should be dealt with.
I told him after nine (9) meetings with SARU, I was not surprised at the contents of the findings, I was also not surprised at the suggestion that the findings be swept under the carpet. I told the reporter that there is no employee who can investigate his or her employer objectively if they want to keep their job. I was saying this because the journalist told me the lawyers doing the investigation were employed by SARU.
I am now informed of what seems to be the real situation. I have no doubt in my mind that Adv Heunis, who compiled the report, is not employed by SARU. I also know that he has not recommended that the findings be swept under any carpet. On the basis of the report, I have no reason to question the integrity of those who investigated the allegation and compiled the report. I think they have done a good job. It now depends on SARU to deal with the matter with integrity. I call upon reporters and journalists to put more integrity to their own side of doing their work. The truth should neither be diluted nor manipulated.
Enquiries:
Mahlubandile Mageda
Cell: 082 332 8811
Issued by: Ministry of Sport and Recreation
19 August 2005
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