SHARKS BLOODIED
Foul play alleged as KZNRU cuts costs
STAFF cuts are under way at Kwazulu-natal Rugby Union. Three people, including one who was medically boarded, have been retrenched. Further cuts are expected in December.
Sharks chief executive Gary Teichmann said rugby across the country “is down” and the restructuring at Growthpoint Kings Park, the home of the franchise, was part of a three-year turnaround plan.
“We are not getting big crowds to the games and the team hasn’t been successful. The sport is being driven by broadcasting rights. There are many reasons, but we allowed our costs to run out of hand and that’s why we have a three-year plan...to get it right,” he said.
“The biggest thing is to make rugby a sustainable business. We’re not hiding the fact that in the last couple of years the Sharks have had a difficult time (financially).”
Kwazulu-natal Rugby Union general manager Siseko Jafta said the restructuring was necessary but that rugby development would not be compromised.
Commenting on allegations by some staff that the cuts were aimed at people of colour, he said it was inevitable as of the 23 employees only one was white.
“It’s not like we are targeting a certain race. As the chief executive (Teichmann) has indicated, everyone understands the need for transformation and we have been doing it. Now it’s because of economic reasons that we are forced to restructure,” Jafta said.
Affected employees, who asked to remain anonymous, maintained they were being “punished” for financial losses caused by the Sharks.
“The Sharks incur huge service provider costs and their senior management get paid huge salaries. Instead of reviewing those costs, they retrench staff working in the lowest levels of the union. How unfair is that?
Another employee said: “Most of the development guys don’t have their own transport, they use public transport. They are already a small team.”
The employee said the union’s bosses were using “duplication of positions” as a reason to retrench.
“That’s a lie, there has never been a duplication of positions. All administrators had different roles and responsibilities. They retrenched people at KZNRU and created a new events department at the Sharks with new white staff members.
“Most of the Sharks’ work is outsourced, including marketing, IT and ticket sales but they have hired people to do the same duties. Is that not a duplication of positions?” the employee asked.
Teichmann said the process had been transparent and he had consulted everyone involved.
“Currently two people have left – a development manager, who was medically boarded, and an administration assistant, who took voluntary retrenchment.
“One more from the referees department is set to go.
“What we are trying to do is ensure we maximise all our resources. We have been doing this on the Sharks side since last year. Presently we are ensuring that we are getting maximum use from all our resources and whoever works here,” said Teichmann.
Development officers were on contracts and the union was looking at how they could get optimum value out of those employees.
“We have created all these jobs and we have to ensure that everyone is giving us maximum benefit,” said Teichmann.
He said the events department worked on a consulting basis to generate more revenue.
But KZNRU honorary vice-president, Martin Wiseman, said that from what he had been told by staff he suspected malpractices.
“Some decisions and appointments are always racially motivated. Positions are created to suit a select few.
“There are many incidents that I’ve brought to the chief executive’s attention, present and past.
“They are more concerned about the whistle blower than making meaningful changes in the spirit of a professional outfit that takes care of all staff equally.