/ 25 May 2006

Saru inquiry ends without Van Rooyen

The disciplinary inquiry into allegations of corporate mismanagement against former SA Rugby boss Brian van Rooyen ended without him on Wednesday.

South African Rugby Union (Saru) CEO Johan Prinsloo, who testified at the hearing in Bloemfontein, said Van Rooyen’s absence was a matter of regret. ”It’s also in his interest [to be at the hearing],” he said.

The closed hearing started on Tuesday. According to reports, Van Rooyen was in Maputo, Mozambique.

Springbok rugby coach Jake White was Wednesday’s first witness at the inquiry, spending about 30 minutes in the offices of the Free State Rugby Union. Like most of the witnesses, White did not want to comment on the proceedings.

Former Saru deputy president Andre Markgraaff and former chairperson of the SA Rugby board Theunie Lategan also testified during the course of the day.

Others who testified included Free State Rugby’s Herold Verster, public relations consultant Ann-Lee Murray and SA Rugby’s manager for legal services Christo Ferreira.

The proceedings came after Van Rooyen was found guilty of corporate mismanagement during an internal investigation by Saru. A wider investigation was ordered to be held under the adjudication of former chief justice Joos Hefer.

Van Rooyen indicated earlier that he would not be present at the inquiry, according to an SA Rugby statement earlier this week.

It is not clear when Hefer will make his ruling. If found guilty, Van Rooyen faces either a fine or suspension, possibly for life, from involvement in SA Rugby. — Sapa