/ 19 July 2005

Saru suspends Eastern Province executive committee

South African Rugby has suspended the executive committee of the Eastern Province Rugby Union with immediate effect.

South African Rugby Union (Saru) spokesperson Vusi Kama said union representatives held a meeting with the Eastern Province executive committee on Monday night to discuss various problems.

”Based on a mandate the Saru representatives were given by the Saru management committee, the vice-president of Saru, Mike Stofile, conveyed to the executive committee a decision that the committee should stand down with immediate effect,” Kama said in a statement.

Saru will appoint an administrator to conduct the day-to-day business of the province, with the cooperation of the chief executive, Philip Joseph.

”The administrators will facilitate the appointment of a team of investigators into the affairs of the province, to help it operate on a better footing,” said Kama.

”The decision to suspend the executive committee will not affect normal rugby business in the province, including forthcoming fixtures at all levels,” he said. — Sapa