Maties: Rugby star in jeopardy

2003-05-22 08:13

Thinus Ferreira

Cape Town - The career of a member of the South African under-21 squad hangs in the balance after it was alleged he was involved in attacks on fellow students at the University of Stellenbosch.

The university is doing a high-level investigation into claims against J D Möller and two other students of Majuba men's residence.

Informed sources told Die Burger that Möller, who also served on the Majuba residence committee, was connected to the attack on two students in the early hours of April 23.

The university knows the names of the three attackers, but does not want to divulge them.

Christo Ferreira, manager of policies and regulations of the SA Rugby Football Union, said on Wednesday the outcome of the university's disciplinary investigation would have a direct influence on Moller's rugby future.

"Sarfu's code of conduct says that players may not bring Sarfu's or SA Rugby's name into disrepute.

"It's within Sarfu's mandate to take steps against a player, but we cannot have another trial and punish him again for the same thing."

Suspended from committee duties

Möller, a B Com student from Carnarvon, also represents the Maties first team and is a Western Province under-21 player.

He was likely to represent South Africa at the World Cup tournament for under-21s in Oxford next month.

The university told Möller, as well as the other residence committee members and the resident head, on May 9 that their duties had been temporarily suspended.

Möller, who is at a training session with the SA under-21 team in Mpumalanga, was approached for comment, but refused to say anything.

Manager Chris de Beer said Möller would definitely not talk to Die Burger at this stage.

"The Majuba residence committee has got legal opinion and cannot comment until the investigation has been concluded.

De Beer said: "In the university letter, it was stated that they had committed a crime. Anything they say at this stage, may be used against them."

Die Burger has been told the residence committee members now all have individual legal representation after former residents, now in the legal profession, offered their services free of charge.

Majuba residents said the attacks were not racial or homophobic by nature, but were carried out because the men didn't want to listen to repeated requests to stop smoking dagga in the residence.

Professor Julian Smith, vice-rector of administration, said the university would receive a report from Gerhard Kemp, who was handling the disciplinary investigation, on Tuesday.

"If we decide to carry on with disciplinary action based on the findings of the investigation, we will take a decision about making known the names of the attackers", he said.

- Die Burger