SA Rugby Union (SARU) CEO Jurie Roux has been instructed to repay R37 million to the University of Stellenbosch by advocate Alasdair Sholto-Douglas SC.
Sholto-Douglas was appointed as the independant arbitrator in the dispute between Roux and the university regarding the alleged mismanagement of funds.
Roux must pay back the money
The SARU CEO held senior positions in the university between 2002 and 2010 and is alleged to have manipulated systems to channel millions into the Maties Rugby Club.
In 2013 an audit uncovered the alleged manipulation and also implicated Roux’s former collegaue Chris De Beer.
Sholto-Douglas has ordered Roux to repay the University of Stellensbosch to the tune of R37 million, though the rugby boss does have the right of appeal.
His judgement, obtained by News24, reads: “In allocating the university’s funds to the four cost centres (without authorisation or budgeting) constituted a breach of his employment contract, which gave rise to the university suffering damages in the amount alleged in the particulars of claim, namely R35 312 004.
“I find also that he breached his contract of employment by incurring expenditure of R1 804 398 on behalf of the university in relation to the Western Province Rugby Institute when he was not authorised to do so and in circumstances where the university had not in fact incurred such an obligation.”
SA Rugby have declined to comment on the matter beyond a brief statement. The governing body are seeking advice from their legal counsel over the matter.
“The Executive Council of SA Rugby has noted the reports of the arbitration involving Jurie Roux and his former employer, Stellenbosch University.
“We have referred the matter to our legal advisers for their advice on governance matters, as we have throughout this process.
“We further note that the process allows for the parties to lodge an appeal, and we will make no further comment until the outcome of any such appeal is known.”
