SA Rugby to appeal against order to reinstate ex refs boss
SOUTH African Rugby has applied for leave to appeal against the Labour Court’s order for it to reinstate former referees manager Andre Watson.
In July 2015, SA Rugby terminated Watson’s employment following a CCMA ruling which followed an independent investigation into allegations that the refs boss was “dictatorial‚ strict and abrasive” in his management style.
At the end of June‚ however‚ the Labour Court ordered Watson’s reinstatement.
Now SA Rugby has opted to appeal against the decision.
“SA Rugby has applied for leave to appeal but I cannot comment any further‚” its strategic communications manager, Andy Colquhoun, said.
Watson, too, dead-batted questions related to the matter.
“I can’t say anything. My lawyer may be able to answer some questions, but I really can’t‚” he said.
According to a source who did not want to be named‚ SA Rugby exercised one of only two options available to it following the Labour Court ruling.
“You can appeal the matter‚ or you can give Watson a pay-out‚” the source said, immediately acknowledging that SA Rugby was in a financial squeeze.
“I really can’t see how there was a way back for him‚” the source said of Watson. “There will be no cohesion in that department.
“Besides‚ a Labour Court cannot force a company to take back an employee if there has been a total breakdown in trust between the parties.
“You must remember the Labour Court never found him not guilty. All it said was that it deemed the punishment too harsh and that he should have received a final written warning.
“It didn’t take into consideration the abusive language he used towards fellow employees‚ or the threats he made. It could become a drawn-out affair.”
The source warned that Watson’s return to SA Rugby would ruffle feathers.
“If he comes back there will be an exodus of officials because they believe he will victimise them.
“There are people who put everything on the line by testifying against him and they surely won’t be able to work with him given their fear of being victimised.”