Former Border Rugby boss Janice Ingram has to repay the union thousands of rands for expenses incurred during her tenure, the Dispatch Online reported on Wednesday.
The expenses included almost R154 000 for a rental car and R13 000 for air tickets and accommodation for her and her boyfriend’s travels.
Apart from admitting to claiming travelling expenses for taking her boyfriend to rugby Tests in Pretoria and Cape Town, Ingram also signed an acknowledgement of debt to Border Rugby totalling almost R190 000, it was reported.
Other money Border Rugby had claimed from her included travelling expenses for her son; accommodation for herself, a marketing agent and her son; repairs to a damaged Budget rental car; and an outstanding R22 500 on a personal loan account.
The car had been rented for two-and-a-half years.
The Dispatch said Ingram insisted on Tuesday that these expenses were all incurred in line with Border Rugby’s staff-loan policy.
Ingram resigned last week ahead of a disciplinary hearing into the matter.
Border Rugby chairperson Corder Tilney subsequently instructed that a copy of Ingram’s letter of resignation, her acknowledgement of debt and the charges against her be released to the Dispatch.
Ingram told the Dispatch the charges had never been put to her.
”I gave up my right to defend myself by resigning, although I dispute the alleged charges. There were mitigating factors, but I cannot discuss it in terms of the agreement with Border Rugby.”
She said she would not have resigned had she known the charges were to be made public.
On the acknowledgement of debt, she explained that all the personal expenses had been advanced for R172 000 owed to her and promotional agent Karen Rudy.
”I don’t owe them [Border Rugby] anything,” said Ingram. ”They owe me a little bit of money.”
In terms of the debt agreement, Border Rugby had agreed that any amounts owed to Ingram would be offset against the debt.
Ingram said she had e-mail permission for the personal loans to herself and Rudy.
Reacting to accusations that she failed to pay tax of R1,1-million and value-added tax of R89 000 to the South African Revenue Service, as well as skills-development levies, Ingram said: ”There was no money at Border Rugby to do so.” — Sapa