Cheetahs boss tackles ANC Chief Whip
Harold Verster, the MD of Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd and the Central Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd, has decided to go toe-to-toe with a political heavyweight in the province.
Verster hit back in a strongly-worded statement against claims by Neels van Rooyen, the deputy-Chief Whip of the ANC in the Free State legislature, who suggested that Verster is "conservative" and a "racist".
The claims, according to a report in the Volksblad newspaper, were made during the budget speech of the department of sports, arts, culture and recreation.
According to the newspaper report Van Rooyen suggested the move of Verster from President of the Free State Rugby Union to the position of Chief Executive is a "ploy of the old order, in a desperate attempt to halt transformation in rugby at all costs".
Verster said in reaction that the claims of Van Rooyen are devoid of any truth.
"I consider the allegations made by Neels van Rooyen, from a public platform and where a person doesn't have the opportunity to defend himself, to be cowardly and unworthy of a public figure, especially considering that the statements and allegations made against Free State Rugby and myself are not based on facts," Verster said in a statement.
"The election of Lindsay Mould as President of the Free State Rugby Union was very democratic and the Vice-President, Cedric Carson is a person of colour. The Executive Committee of the FRU consists of four persons of colour and three white people.
"Mould was previously the head of the FRU's Primary Schools Association. Mould had to resign when he was elected as the President and his successor is now a person of colour.
"I am currently the Managing Director of the Central and the Free State Cheetahs and in both cases I report to a Board of Directors, where both the Presidents are persons of colour. The Board of Directors are also greatly transformed.
"I am in constant contact and have a special relationship with the Premier, Ace Magashule and the MEC of Sport Dan Kgothule who supported me and recognize me for transformation in rugby. I am not at all seen as stubborn or racist by these persons.
"The allegations of separate year-end functions for black and white staff, and staff on the same staff photos are not of truth, it is totally unjustified and devoid of the true facts. While I was President, transformation occurred to a nearly equal representation.
"In the Super Rugby competition the Cheetahs play with more transformation players than any other franchise. Van Rooyen's wild accusations and attacks on Free State Rugby Union are based on misinformation.
"The accusation that FRU terrain workers are exploited with unacceptable wages and that it borders to slavery is ridiculous and wrong. We have agreed with SATAWU regarding wages and salaries. They shared their gratitude for our way of dealing with our people and our staff relations.
"As far as Neels van Rooyen's threat to investigate Free State Rugby, it is important for him to make sure that he's got all the correct facts relating to transformation and other issues."