WP Rugby apologise for comments made by President Zelt Marais

Western Province Professional Rugby Chairman Ebrahim Rasool has issued a statement apologising for comments made by the Union’s President Zelt Marais in a recent interview.

Zelt Marais forced to apologise

During a taped discussion with a journalist Marais alleged that there has been widespread propogation of false information regarding the administrative issues at Western Province Rugby, while also discussing the impending move from Newlands to the Cape Town Stadium, the failed deals to redevelop the iconic ground and the takeover negotiations with MVM Holdings.

Marais has appeared to have an axe to grind with sections of the news and sports media in South Africa after publications gave airtime to former members of the WPPR board who accused Marais of reckless administration.

The WPRFU President also accused MVM Holdings of conducting secret meetings with the clubs who are stakeholders in the amatuer union, claiming individual clubs were offered bribes.

Statement by WPPR Chairman Ebrahim Rasool

In a written statement sent to the media, Rasool said:”Following a Management Committee meeting with Mr Zelt Marais, President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU), the Board of Western Province Professional Rugby (WPPR), agree and advise that the comments made by the (WPRFU) President during a recent media interview should be withdrawn entirely, with immediate effect, and an apology issued for any offence they might have caused.

“We do not believe that the comments in question were appropriate, nor do serve the interests of WPPR and rugby in the Western Province in any positive way.

“In response, Mr Marais expressed remorse and agreed that he should not have said any of the things that he said during that recorded discussion with the journalist. He, therefore, withdrew those remarks in their entirety, without any condition, and apologised for any offence that might have been caused to the people mentioned. Mr Marais also agreed that he will no longer engage the media on the matters under discussion.

“In its own understanding of the negotiations of the transactions referred to, and the records thereof, the WPPR Board does not believe there has been any corruption or malfeasance by anybody mentioned, intentionally or not, especially as it relates to financial proposals made to the Clubs of WP.

“The Board also refutes any suggestion that Mr Andre van de Veen was not duly appointed or renewed as a member of the Board, or that he was not duly mandated, authorised or requested to engage in the search for an equity partner.

“Furthermore, we reiterate that while our impending move from Newlands to Cape Town Stadium may be a bit sad – because of a decades-long history we shall leave behind – it is also an exciting one – for all the growth and expansion possibilities that will come with being based at Cape Town Stadium. It is nevertheless not a move we make with any recriminations or under any duress.

“As the WPPR Board, we have all intentions to put measures in place that will minimise, if not entirely eliminate any possibility of a repeat of what recently happened.”