The gloves came off in a bitter battle to become EP’s next rugby boss when acting president George Malgas accused presidential rival Willem Oliphant of bribery and being unethical in his bid to win votes.
Malgas, a lawyer, made the accusations when he announced his leadership team at a media briefing at EP’s headquarters on Thursday.
Nominations for the presidency close on Friday, and it is expected to be a two-horse race between Malgas and Oliphant.
When Oliphant announced his election team at a beachfront hotel last week, he promised a R1m cash injection to boost club rugby if he is voted into power on November 30.
Oliphant, a prominent businessman, says he wants to bring back EP’s glory days.
“I have no doubt the R1m offer is unethical and with the experience I have in law, I believe it is a bribe,” Malgas said.
When The Herald approached Oliphant for comment on the allegations, he rejected the call and sent a WhatsApp message in reply.
He wrote: “It is an [sic] sponsor like he [Malgas] have [sic]. Only I made the amount available.”
Malgas said Oliphant’s R1m offer had become a hot topic in the lead-up to the elections.
“This is a relevant question [about the R1m] and a burning point as far as Oliphant’s campaign is concerned.
“My experience as a lawyer of almost 40 years is that once you offer gratification to someone and that gratification is not commensurate or attached to a legal duty that has to be performed by the other party, you are actually enticing him to commit an offence.
“I am saying ‘you must vote for me because I am going to give you R1m’. That is definitely bribery and it could even amount to corruption.
“One has to look carefully [at it] and our clubs will have to be alert to the fact, even in the instance where they accept that, because bribery has two legs and two sides to it.
“There is the one that bribes and there is the one that accepts the bribe and both are equally guilty of committing the offence.
“Our clubs, once that offer has been made, must be careful.
“I’m not saying don’t vote for Oliphant. I’m saying vote for the right reasons.
“Two clubs, who shall remain nameless for now, have complained about this and the matter is sitting on my table.
“They have complained and say this needs to be investigated and reported to the police.
“I have reported it to the executive and we will decide on this in the next few days.”
Asked if Oliphant had contravened the constitution, Malgas said: “I believe he has definitely contravened the constitution with this offer.
“Our constitution speaks of a fair process where you avail yourself and put yourself out there.
“You are entitled to have a manifesto, but it should be about rugby and what you intend to do for rugby if you get in.
“The crux of the matter is the offer, as I understand, is conditional. I’ll give you the R1m if I get in.
“So there is something that moves you towards putting the vote in because the R1m comes in.
“If the R1m was set aside without any conditions it changes it from being a bribe to a simple sponsorship.
“I am really worried about this. As a rugby person, you don’t do such things and it is unethical.
“I understand he [Oliphant] has registered as a member of a club recently and I am investigating that.
“If he has registered as a member of a club, he can be disciplined and be called to a hearing based on his unethical behaviour.
“We will get through the election and depending on what the outcome of the election is there is a possibility he may be called to be disciplined.”
Malgas’ team is: Malgas (president), Mbulelo Gidane (deputy president), Cedric Frolick (vice-president). Additional members: Tania Vermaak (finance, human resources and marketing), Phillip Joseph (club affairs and facilities), Freddie Makoki (provincial affairs), Sinethemba Mjakuca (coaching and game development).
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