MBOMBELA – The matter between the NNC Pumas’ masseuse, Lelani van der Merwe, and the newly appointed team manager, Samuel Sikiwe, has been concluded. The outcome? Unknown.
This is after the Mpumalanga Rugby Union’s (MRU) president, AG Visser, undertook to supply Lowvelder with the result of the investigation, which he never did.

It is alleged that Sikiwe, during an altercation with Van der Merwe, made some sort of physical contact with her, after which he was reported. What exactly transpired is unknown.
“During the hearing, as part of the conclusion of the case, all parties involved agreed that no information surrounding the case will be discussed with the media,” said Visser.

“I am aware of the undertaking with Lowvelder to issue a press release, but I can unfortunately not say more than I have already said – apart from the agreement reached, as well as taking into account the necessary principles within labour law, the rights of employees as well as the obligation on the employer in matters such as this, the details cannot be discussed with the media,” said Visser.

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Lowvelder was in the meantime informed that Sikiwe was given a final warning, and that the case has been closed.

This, according to the labour law, does not mean that he has had previous offences.

According to the code of good practice, dismissal should be reserved for cases of serious misconduct or repeated offences.

Dismissal for a first offence is not appropriate unless it is so serious that it makes a continued employment relationship intolerable, which it apparently does not. Therefore, harm done and disruption in the Pumas camp among others, were most likely taken into account.

According to the labour law, any sort of contact with a co-worker is seen as an infringement and calls for final warnings, as in Sikiwe’s case.

Director of rugby of the Pumas, Jimmy Stonehouse, and CEO of the MRU, Marius van Rensburg, declined to comment on the matter.