King resignation ‘stays execution’ for Van Rooyen

By Vata Ngobeni

Johannesburg – SOUTH African Rugby Union president Brian van Rooyen received a stay of execution yesterday when Judge Edwin King resigned as head of an inquiry to investigate corporate mismanagement by Van Rooyen.

King, who was also head of the commission into the Hansie Cronje saga in 2000, cited personal reasons and the dragging of procedural feet by SA Rugby, for his decision.

“I don’t want to blame anyone for the delay which forced me to resign. But I simply can’t wait for SA Rugby to get its act together. I have other commitments,” King said.

The inquiry, which was due to begin on Monday, was to investigate the 10 counts of poor corporate management by Van Rooyen and his president’s council, flowing from last year’s widely reported Brand/Heunis report into rugby affairs.

King’s resignation was not on the agenda at the day-long meeting of the SA Rugby Board in Johannesburg on Tuesday. However, it is sure to be high on the agenda when the president’s council meets tomorrow for discussion of various thorny issues.

Also on the table for discussion at that meeting will be Van Rooyen’s request to the board for SA Rugby to pay his legal costs arising from the inquiry into his affairs. SA Rugby CEO Johan Prinsloo confirmed yesterday that the request was received at Tuesday’s board meeting from Van Rooyen and that the board would be seeking legal opinion on its responsibilities in the matter.

Van Rooyen’s days in South African rugby’s most prized seat could be numbered as the outspoken president could face the guillotine on February 23 at SA Rugby’s annual general meeting.

Van Rooyen’s supporter base at grassroots level seems to be dwindling with the changing of the guard at smaller unions like Griquas, Griffons, Border and South Western Districts.

The AGM could bring to an end a Van Rooyen era plagued with allegations of mismanagement and financial bungling as well as a spate of resignations in the office, while the various teams performed exceptionally on the field.

Among the charges against Van Rooyen are claims that he attempted to persuade the SA Rugby Union to rent office space from his own company, and that he tried to obtain a vehicle for his personal use.

He is also accused of making unprocedural appointments of staff and service providers.

A provisional investigation by an advocate found there was prima facie evidence against Van Rooyen and others in SA Rugby’s presidents’ council.