MyPE

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Watsons Must Fall

By

Dear MyPE and all EP Kings Players, Officials and Supporters,

In the hope that the Financial crisis would be averted, the NMB Ratepayers Association withheld a High Court Application for a period of 8 weeks prior to serving it last week against the NMBM, Access Management and certain Metro officials in order to bring an end to the mismanagement in EP Rugby. We have held meetings with Cheeky Watson, various Clubs, EP Board Members, and have been in contact with SARU, SARPA, players agents and the Metro including Danny Jordaan to try to bring a sustainable Sponsor onboard and secure financial stability.

A player (see below) mentions clearly that Cheeky Watson runs EP Rugby like a “family mafia”, no doubt that this did not help with his political connections.

How can one selfish person like Cheeky Watson believe he is bigger and mightier than rugby. The EP Rugby supporters will crucify him after what he has put our beloved EP Kings players and officials through and deservedly so. The only problem I have, and it is unfortunate, is that players and officials will not stand up against him and believe me I do understand why these players refuse to do so, but it’s now make or break and I would like to see all players and officials unite with us in our fight against Watson. We need to run him out of EP Rugby and we have to pray that what happened with our beloved Kings will never be repeated and allowed by SARU ever again.

Trust in what we are doing and wait for SARU to take over and we will make sure that Cheeky Watson will not be part of that take over for very long. The real fight is about to start and we now ask all rugby supporters to get involved in the campaign “Cheeky must fall” and send Jurie Roux and Oregan Hoskins an email in support of all players and officials touched by this tragic disaster. We have kick started an “EP Kings Players Fund” to assist players through these tough times, both now and into the future. Please support this initiative by NMBRA. See EP Kings Players Fund for more information.

E-mail: Jurie Roux – jurier[at]sarugby.co.za , Oregan Hoskins – hoskins[at]sarugby.co.za

Start sending your emails so SARU can see how frustrated you all are. See letter below by EP Kings Player.

Regards

Kobus Gerber
NMB Ratepayers Association

Players Open Letter

My time at the Kings has been a surreal one, something an award winning writer couldn’t of written, it’s been turbulent, something out of a horror novel, something that no one should go through or experience. The experiences we’ve had to endure have been painful to say the least, experiences I don’t wish on my worst enemies.

This whole payment ordeal has been the icing on the cake. Dealing with a president that would give Hitler a proper run for his money, dealing with his constant lying and comments like “I’m a Christian but I’ll slit your throat and ask for forgiveness” has been damaging to say the least. How management and son have employed strategies of fear and intimidation to keep power has created an environment where people are scared to talk and be themselves and where the Kings as a team has dissolved into a minority with political and/or hidden agendas.

People must understand than its not only the players but their families and friends that have all been caught in the middle of this diabolical mess. The sheer arrogance of the people in charge has led the union straight into the pits of debt,employees who are being blacklisted and players and staff doing anything to make ends meat, the inability of the bosses to land sponsors or win any sort of goodwill has been diminished along with young players dreams and goals. How can a president still have the audacity to hold a chair in office and not relinquish his reign? The best interests of the real assets (the players) are being totally disregarded by EP/SARU and the players association which is SARPA. Who have “acted” by giving a R1000 food voucher… I ask you!!! What is your food bill?? How much is your bond? Your car? School fees? Medical aid? Etc etc etc…

When will proper due diligence prevail and the livelihoods of the players be made most important. The president has failed. It’s got nothing to do with transformation/quota system/which Union is fielding the most players of color, it’s got everything to do with people’s lives, people like you and me, normal people with normal responsibilities and bills. Left and right you see comments from all corners, SARU, The DA, the transformation coalition, the clubs , yet the real crux of the problem is still seated in his chair of power , the dictator who as of the first month of this happening should of been without a job, yet political partnerships are more important than the lives of people. Yes I am a player, and yes I’m keeping my name anonymous, not because I’m a coward, but because I know the Kings is run by a “family mafia” and I’m afraid of the consequences people close to me may be subjected too. Judging by threatening messages my team mates and staff members have received from father and son, I’m making the right decision to remain anonymous. Earlier today a team mate cried out for help, I’m joining that train, however I’m not asking for money, I’m asking for action, people to stand up against the atrocities of this dictatorship, get rid of “Hitler”, and everyone that comes along with him, and this Union will flourish. However, all I see in the country is a rugby board and union (SARU and unions) driven by agendas, rotten to the core. I pray God will not only help the Kings, but help South Africa. Rugby in this country is burning and falling. People don’t understand how toxic and poisonous this environment is, it’s sickening and dysfunctional , and please supporters of the Kings and everyone out there must understand , this is no joke, players and employees are suffering, being kicked out of their homes, cars being taken away, electricity being cut off and living on bowls of rice. This is a tragedy. Players are suffering and the blood is on the hands of the man at the helm.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.