Latest news with #R360
The Star
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Parliament forms Ad Hoc Committee to investigate serious allegations by KZN police commissioner
Mayibongwe Maqhina | Published 5 days ago The National Assembly on Wednesday night unanimously agreed to form an Ad Hoc Committee tasked with investigating the serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. This decision comes after the adoption of a report from the portfolio committees on Police and Justice and Constitutional Development, which were requested to consider the appropriate approach to deal with the allegations. ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli announced that the 11-member committee will consist of four members from the ANC, two each from the DA and the MK Party, one member from the EFF, and two representatives to be recommended by other parties. Ntuli said the committee will report to the National Assembly by not later than October 31. He said the committee's terms of reference included t he alleged unlawful decision by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the Political Killings Task Team, t he alleged unlawful removal of 121 case dockets from the Political Killings Task Team on the direction of Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, and t he alleged moratorium by Mchunu on filling vacancies within the SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit. Others are t he nature and implications of the relationship between SAPS senior leadership and certain members of the public, w hether the award of the R360 million contract to Vusumuzi Matlala's company for the provision of healthcare services to SAPS was irregular. The committee will also look into t he alleged interference by the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption in police matters, including judicial issues, and also c onsider the need for legislative policy and institutional reform to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system. Parties have thrown their weight behind the Ad Hoc Committee. ANC MP Samuel Moela said the allegations made by Mkhwanazi cannot be left unexamined. 'General Mkhwanazi's assertion, if accurate, paints a disturbing picture of how certain elements might be undermining the integrity of law enforcement institutions for political or personal gain. 'Parliament has both the responsibility and the authority to get to the bottom of these claims, not for political point scoring, but to protect the democratic institutions so many South Africans fought to build,' Moela said. DA deputy spokesperson on police, Lisa Schickerling, said the evidence Mkhwanazi presented raised the greatest questions about the conduct of Mchunu, Sibiya, senior police officers, and even members of the judiciary. 'The National Assembly must hold the executive to account, even in the face of parallel investigations. We welcome the urgency with which this House has resolved to independently oversee the political and institutional dimensions of this crisis,' said Schickerling. MK Party's Sibonelo Nomvalo saluted Mkhwanazi for taking on the perceived untouchables by exposing criminal syndicates within the criminal justice system. 'Our clarion call is that Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi must appear before the Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament and expose all the police officers, prosecutors, judges, Members of Parliament, and all officials in the Department of Police who are in cahoots with criminals," he said. 'An allegation by Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi against judges justifies our valid call for a lifestyle audit against judges. It is our firm belief that judges are human beings. They are not a paragon of morality, and therefore are corruptible honourable members,' Nomvalo said. EFF MP Rebecca Mohlala said the SAPS was a seriously compromised service, and its top brass enabled the capture of the institution for nefarious reasons. Mohlala said Parliament should get to the bottom of the allegations and reassert its role in providing oversight to the executive. 'We support the recommendation of the report for the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to conduct an inquiry to get to the bottom of corruption,' she said. [email protected]
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
World Rugby chief Alan Gilpin gives his verdict on new rebel R360 league - and outlines key issue that could force players to 'vote with their feet'
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin has insisted players will 'vote with their feet' if joining the game's proposed new rebel league means they cannot represent their countries too. Mail Sport this week revealed the latest on R360's plans to shake up rugby's established order, with Manchester United and Liverpool owners the Glazers and Fenway Sports Group, as well as Red Bull, ready to buy into the tournament as franchise owners. The first season of R360 is slated to start in September 2026. Home-based English players who join the rebel competition – where contracts of up to $1million-a-season are being offered – would have to give up international rugby to do so. That's because RFU rules state players must be employed by a Premiership club to represent Steve Borthwick 's national side. 'We know players want to play international rugby. It is the pinnacle of the game,' said Gilpin, speaking in Australia on Tuesday. 'It's important whatever is getting endorsed and invested in gives players that opportunity. 'Whatever doesn't give players that opportunity, the players will vote with their feet on that. 'We've got to make sure whatever competitions players are going to play in, they can play in those big moments. They want to and the fans want that too. 'In England, if you don't play Premiership Rugby, you're not selected for the national team other than in some very exceptional circumstances. 'There are different versions of that around the world. 'That's a question national federations need to consider.' Given the lucrative money, as well as numerous other welfare benefits including fewer games on offer with R360, it is likely some players will be willing to give up Test rugby to join. Gilpin believes any external investment into rugby from the likes of Red Bull would be welcomed, so long as it benefits the sport as a whole and not just a few individuals. He added he would be keen to engage with R360's driving forces in 2003 England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and leading agent Mark Spoors as soon as possible. 'We need to have a dialogue with those guys when they are ready to do that. Rugby needs investment,' Gilpin said. 'Rugby is in a really competitive environment. Around the world, every sport is competing in an ever more difficult attention economy. 'Investment into the game is great. 'As long as that investment is driving into the right areas and creating a more financially sustainable game for players and for the wider ecosystem, then we encourage it. 'We've got to understand what that means in the R360 case.'
Sydney Morning Herald
15 hours ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Storm star Papenhuyzen meets with Rugby360 bosses in Melbourne
The 32-year-old, who is on around $550,000 at the Warriors next year, still has one more year to run on his current deal but is poised to double his salary in the twilight of his career if the new competition gets off the ground. 'Roger comes off his current NRL contract in 2026, and as part of that planning, I threw this in front of him and asked if he had any interest in this option,' Tuivasa-Sheck's agent Bruce Sharrock said of the R360 offer. 'He said, 'Why wouldn't I?' I've always encouraged all my players to look at all options, and that's where we are at right now.' The competition needs to hit three major triggers to secure private equity funding before it can become a reality. The first is to have the franchises purchased and legally drafted. The second requires the confirmation of a broadcast partner, while the third element of the deal requires organisers to secure 200 players. All three targets must be reached by the end of September. Danny Townsend – the CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, the sports arm of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, – says the concept isn't being backed by them despite reports suggesting they were looking to join forces with competition organisers. 'We've not had any conversations with R360 and at this stage are not looking at any rugby investment,' he said. ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys recently warned players of the risk of signing with R360. 'Whoever goes with them, if they are going to go with them, they are taking an almighty risk because no-one has seen a business model, no-one has seen how they are going to generate revenue,' V'landys recently told News Corp. 'It's like anything – if it seems to be too good to be true, it just might be. It's like when you make an investment. You might get a greater return, but you're also taking a bigger risk. The first thing I would ask myself is how are they going to pay for this. I would want to understand how they are going to fund it,' he said. 'I would caution players to do a risk analysis. We're keeping an eye on it but everything so far, you can't substantiate how it will happen.' In Sydney for an announcement for 2027 Rugby World Cup tickets, World Rugby boss Alan Gilpin addressed the R360 concept, which would require WR sign off to get up and running. Gilpin said the competition would need to observe the existing 'Regulation 9' release windows for players to be able to play Test rugby for their countries through the year. Loading Theoretically, it could open the door for Papenhuyzen, and other NRL recruits, to be called up by the Wallabies. Rugby Australia's current policy is that players must compete in Super Rugby to be eligible for Test selection, but the Wallabies coach can pick three offshore based players per series under the 'Giteau Law'. 'We need to have a dialogue with those guys when they are ready to do that. Rugby needs investment. Rugby is, and Australia is, a great example, in a really competitive environment,' Gilpin said of R360. 'Around the world, every sport and beyond sport is competing in an ever more difficult attention economy. Investment into the game is great. As long as that investment is driving into the right areas and creating a more financially sustainable game for players, for the wider ecosystem, then we encourage it. We've got to understand what that means in the R360 case. 'The position is that whatever competitions arise, we know players want to play international rugby. In our sport, the international game is the pinnacle of the game. Players want to play in World Cups, they want to play in the Olympic Games ... Whatever new concepts, whether it is R360 or otherwise, which are being discussed with players, Regulation 9 and that whole concept of player release for defined international windows is key.'
The Age
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Age
Storm star Papenhuyzen meets with Rugby360 bosses in Melbourne
The 32-year-old, who is on around $550,000 at the Warriors next year, still has one more year to run on his current deal but is poised to double his salary in the twilight of his career if the new competition gets off the ground. 'Roger comes off his current NRL contract in 2026, and as part of that planning, I threw this in front of him and asked if he had any interest in this option,' Tuivasa-Sheck's agent Bruce Sharrock said of the R360 offer. 'He said, 'Why wouldn't I?' I've always encouraged all my players to look at all options, and that's where we are at right now.' The competition needs to hit three major triggers to secure private equity funding before it can become a reality. The first is to have the franchises purchased and legally drafted. The second requires the confirmation of a broadcast partner, while the third element of the deal requires organisers to secure 200 players. All three targets must be reached by the end of September. Danny Townsend – the CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, the sports arm of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, – says the concept isn't being backed by them despite reports suggesting they were looking to join forces with competition organisers. 'We've not had any conversations with R360 and at this stage are not looking at any rugby investment,' he said. ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys recently warned players of the risk of signing with R360. 'Whoever goes with them, if they are going to go with them, they are taking an almighty risk because no-one has seen a business model, no-one has seen how they are going to generate revenue,' V'landys recently told News Corp. 'It's like anything – if it seems to be too good to be true, it just might be. It's like when you make an investment. You might get a greater return, but you're also taking a bigger risk. The first thing I would ask myself is how are they going to pay for this. I would want to understand how they are going to fund it,' he said. 'I would caution players to do a risk analysis. We're keeping an eye on it but everything so far, you can't substantiate how it will happen.' In Sydney for an announcement for 2027 Rugby World Cup tickets, World Rugby boss Alan Gilpin addressed the R360 concept, which would require WR sign off to get up and running. Gilpin said the competition would need to observe the existing 'Regulation 9' release windows for players to be able to play Test rugby for their countries through the year. Loading Theoretically, it could open the door for Papenhuyzen, and other NRL recruits, to be called up by the Wallabies. Rugby Australia's current policy is that players must compete in Super Rugby to be eligible for Test selection, but the Wallabies coach can pick three offshore based players per series under the 'Giteau Law'. 'We need to have a dialogue with those guys when they are ready to do that. Rugby needs investment. Rugby is, and Australia is, a great example, in a really competitive environment,' Gilpin said of R360. 'Around the world, every sport and beyond sport is competing in an ever more difficult attention economy. Investment into the game is great. As long as that investment is driving into the right areas and creating a more financially sustainable game for players, for the wider ecosystem, then we encourage it. We've got to understand what that means in the R360 case. 'The position is that whatever competitions arise, we know players want to play international rugby. In our sport, the international game is the pinnacle of the game. Players want to play in World Cups, they want to play in the Olympic Games ... Whatever new concepts, whether it is R360 or otherwise, which are being discussed with players, Regulation 9 and that whole concept of player release for defined international windows is key.'
Reuters
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
World Rugby chief says franchise leagues need to allow test availability
SYDNEY, July 29 (Reuters) - Test rugby remains the pinnacle of the game and any franchise league that does not offer players the chance to play it is unlikely to attract top talent, World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin warned on Tuesday. The R360 global franchise league, which is fronted by former England centre Mike Tindall, is scheduled to launch in 2026 and media reports have linked it with big-money offers for top rugby union and league players. Gilpin said he was open to dialogue with R360 and that World Rugby welcomed any investment into the sport as long as it created a more financially sustainable game for players and the "wider ecosystem". "Our position is whatever competitions arise, we know players want to play international rugby," he told reporters at the launch of the ticketing programme for the 2027 World Cup. "It's not true of every sport, but in our sport, the international game is the pinnacle of the game. "We've got a really quite tricky calendar in global rugby, so it's really important that whatever is getting endorsed and invested in gives players that opportunity. "And I think anything that doesn't give players that opportunity, players will vote with their feet on it." World Rugby's Regulation 9 enforces the release of players for test rugby from any recognised competition and Gilpin said the governing body would continue to insist on their availability for all international windows. That would include men's and women's British & Irish Lions tours, both Rugby World Cups and the Sevens competition at the Olympic Games. "Whatever new concepts, whether it's R360 or otherwise, that are being discussed with players ... that whole concept of player release for defined international windows in our sport is key," he said. "We've got to make sure that whatever competitions players are going to go and play in, they can play in those big moments because they want to. And the fans ... want that."
