Windhoek
Damning allegations levelled against the chief executive officer of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), Sybrand de Beer, could have serious repercussions for Namibia’s participation in the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Disgruntled council members of the NRU issued a damning comprehensive report accusing the union of trying to cover up or rather protect De Beer, whom they fingered for allegedly having committed
serious acts of misconduct, including alleged dishonesty and financial mismanagement.
The aggrieved members, representing Rehoboth, Kudus, Falcon, Western Suburbs and Unam rugby clubs, issued a strongly worded joint statement during a hastily arranged but well-attended press briefing in Windhoek yesterday.
At the centre of the storm is the union’s apparent reluctance or refusal to accept a debriefing report filed by the then NRU vice-president Corrie Mensah, in the aftermath of allegations of racial discrimination against black players during the ill-fated November 2014 tour.
When the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) sought clarity on the said report – it was notified in no uncertain terms by De Beer that the said debriefing report was about the behaviour of former coach Danie Vermeulen and since he had resigned there was no further business.
Another issue mentioned was the report of financial mismanagement by the CEO, as compiled by the Audit Committee. The NSC could only lay their hands on the audited financial statements for the fiscal year 31 December 2014 and not the one on financial mismanagement.
The NRU Board unanimously resolved to terminate the services of De Beer but for some strange reason the directive was never effected. It was revealed that the reason was because the message only resurfaced in the shape of an innocent draft document.
It is further stated that the NRU closed the 2013 fiscal year with a surplus on the income statement and sufficient funding in the bank account to start the new financial year on a sound footing. However, the situation the following year indicated that the NRU was technically insolvent, owing its creditors, players’ fund, IRB and Bank Windhoek close to the three and half million dollars.
It’s further alleged that De Beer undertook unauthorized trips to Johannesburg, South Africa, making use of the NRU’s ‘airline reward miles and hotel accommodation’ for personal gratification – causing the union losses of N$10 203.
Neither De Beer nor his spouse had approval from the board to redeem NRU miles. De Beer is further accused of having intentionally misrepresented his spouse as an NRU representative while knowing very well she was not an employee of the union.
As a result of the findings, the board took a bold decision to usher De Beer through the exit door because of the serious breach of trust but nevertheless decided against disclosing the alleged fraudulent actions of De Beer to the council.
It’s also alleged that the union unlawfully dismissed a reportedly competent indigenous Namibian Hella Nghifindaka, who was employed as the personal assistant to the CEO, with the consequence the NRU negotiated an exit package with the young lady.
Ironically, the sacked madam was replaced by the wife of a personal buddy to the CEO – a South African citizen for that matter (jobs for pals)! Word has it that one prominent board member sarcastically questioned the suitability of Hella being the face of the NRU! Another nasty incident points to a white Namibian rugby player allegedly unleashing the despised K-word on an African player at a bar after he was provoked.
The disgruntled members seriously questioned the deliberately tailored tortoise-pace process of transformation in Namibian rugby – citing the low number of black players in the current squad prior to the World Cup.
In their parting shot, the disgruntled party threw their weight behind the players and congratulated the team for their splendid performance in last weekend’s triumph against the visiting Russians. “To the players, we pledge our full support and would also like to encourage them to go to the World Cup, be competitive and make Namibia proud,” reads the statement.