The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has jumped to the defence of under-fire South Africa Rugby Union (SARU) chief executive Jurie Roux following a meeting of the two organisations in Johannesburg.
Roux remains at the centre of allegations that he deliberately mismanaged funds during his time at Stellenbosch University.
It is claimed Roux, who was appointed chief executive at SARU in 2010, re-directed up to R35 million (£1.6 million/$2.3 million/€2.1 million) from a reserve fund to benefit the university’s rugby club.
The University has opened a civil lawsuit against Roux, with a court date set for March 17.
His lawyer, Frikkie Erasmus, told South African publication EWN Sport that they were “anxious” to get in court so that Roux can begin to clear his name.
“It’s certainly a frustration because Jurie would like to get into court to be able to ventilate all the matters that he’s been accused of and with a delay obviously he doesn’t get that opportunity,” he said.
“So we’re anxious to get into court as soon as possible.”
Erasmus also insisted the ongoing saga, which has sparked controversy in South Africa, was “not affecting his job” as SARU chief executive.
It follows EWN Sport reporting that the body’s President, Oregan Hoskins, was considering suspending Roux from his position while the investigation is carried out.
“Jurie is a very professional person and he’s focusing on his job and doing an excellent job so it’s not affecting his job at all,” he added.
SARU released a statement yesterday in which they declared their “unanimous support” for the chief executive and they were then called into a meeting at Olympic House with representatives from SASCOC to discuss the matter.
It has been reported that the governing body for rugby in the nation deliberately ignored the allegations against Roux when they initially surfaced.
SARU has denied these claims.
“It’s not true that SARU chief executive Jurie Roux didn’t disclose an investigation against him by his previous employer to SARU because he was employed in 2010 and the case only surfaced in 2013,” the SASCOC statement read.
“We are satisfied as SASCOC that our member, SARU, and its leadership have exercised their fiduciary responsibilities as per correct process and as further attested to by the Katz/Cilliers Legal Opinion.
“Finally, let it be understood that Jurie Roux is legally employed and contracted to SARU until 2021 as chief executive and that the case against him is in the court of law and will unfold according to the process of the law.”
- By Liam Morgan
- Republished with permission insidethegames.biz