Border Rugby clubs have petitioned the union demanding that a process be put in place to elect a club representative, a position that has been vacant for a month.
The clubs said in the petition that there had been numerous attempts as individuals to get B order Rugby Union president Zuko Badli to start the process leading to the appointment of a new club rep but those drew blanks.
Hence, the formal collective written request.
The petition signed by executive members from 16 of the 24 clubs from the Super and Premier league was issued on Monday, with Border given 48 hours to respond.
The clubs include Winter Rose, Busy Boys, Fort Beaufort United, Lovedale College, Breakers, University of Fort Hare Blues, Ocean Sweepers, Africans, Swallows, Ngculu Zebras, Walter Sisulu University All Blacks, Buffalo Rugby Club, Wallabies, Black Eagles and Moonlight.
The club representative vacancy came after the departure of Thabo Sixam.
Sixam resigned in August, citing the union’s alleged lack of proper governance in the appointment of the general manager, saying the executive had refused to “look into certain matters or reach a collective arrangement (after minutes of meetings being made available to the union’s general council)”.
“The below signed give the union 48 hours to instigate the process, failing which we will exhaust all options available to us to ensure that the president, Zuko Badli, ceases his continued disregard for our constitutional rights of having a club rep,” the petition reads.
“We further agree that the venue for the elections must be in East London, which is not only the headquarters of the union, but also represents the most central spot for the majority of clubs.”
Buffalo Rugby Club president Pannie Coetzer wrote to Badli in August stating that the executive should convene its members after Sixam’s resignation so that they could be taken into the union’s confidence with what was going on.
On Wednesday, the clubs confirmed being part of the submitted petition on Monday.
Some said it was mandatory in the union’s laws that 24 Super and Premier League member clubs nominate one person to serve as a member of the executive committee.
Badli said on Wednesday: “Border Rugby Union acknowledges receipt of a petition submitted by a number of affiliated clubs requesting that a meeting be convened to discuss and decide on the appointment of a new club representative to the executive committee, following the recent resignation of the previous representative.
“We respect the rights of member clubs to raise matters of governance and to actively participate in the leadership processes of the union.
“The union is currently reviewing the petition in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and will respond accordingly.
“The union remains committed to upholding principles of transparency, fair representation and good governance, and will ensure that any steps taken are in line with our constitutional processes and in the best interests of all stakeholders.”
Daily Dispatch
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