Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Robson Sharuko
14 November 2009
Harare — THERE are fears that Beastmania, which has been a big part of the heartbeat of the Springboks and world rugby, could come to an abrupt ending -- shattering the dreams of a talented Zimbabwean prop and millions of fans who have fallen in love with him.
Tendai Mtawarira, the 24-year-old giant prop, is at the centre of a controversy that is dominating world rugby, has split South Africa, affected the Springboks and confused the fans who feasted on the magic of the big man called The Beast.
Mtawarira's eligibility to play for the Springboks is being questioned and dominated the world rugby champions' preparations ahead of their Test against France -- the first of this European winter tour -- in Toulouse last night.
The Beast has transformed himself into one of the players with the highest profile in rugby union in the world and is a key member of the Springboks.
But, all that, could quickly change.
The problem surrounding Mtawarira's eligibility to play for the Springboks is centred on revelations that the Zimbabwean superstar does not hold a South African passport and neither does he have a residence permit to stay in that country.
Both are key factors for any sportsmen who want to play for South Africa and there are some people within that country's Government who believe that Mtawarira's representation of the Rainbow Nation has been a violation of the country's immigration laws.
The Beast only holds a work permit, to specifically play for the Sharks, and that that caused a big storm south of the Limpopo.
"The problems encountered by Mr Mtawarira with his Zimbabwe passport have exposed a dangerous situation. A situation where sport administrators clearly do not know South African laws or simply do not respect our laws," the South African Ministry of Sport and Recreation said in a press statement on Thursday.
"We must state up front our admiration for the gifted Zimbabwean prop forward. He is a live wire on the rugby field. But just like he must obey the rules of rugby on the field, he must comply with the Laws of South Africa in life here on our land, like all of us.
"According to the President, as well as the CEO of the South African Rugby Union, "The Beast" IS NOT A CITIZEN of South Africa. He does not even have a permit for permanent residence in South Africa.
"The CEO of The Sharks corroborates these facts and makes the interesting remarks: "There has never been any issue about his nationality."
"The issue here is NOT HIS Nationality. It is his citizenship. He has never applied for a South African citizenship or passport. Of course he would not get a passport if he was not our citizen. This is the law that all citizens in all countries respect.
"What is wrong with some of our compatriots? No sport can be bigger than South Africa. The officials of the SARU even inform us that Mr. Mtawarira 'is currently on an exceptional skills visa (work permit).'
"If such a work permit was issued on the basis of his skills as a prop forward, the concept 'scarce skills' was vulgarised. The Sharks or any Provincial Unit or Professional Club may motivate for the issuing of a work permit for a limited number of foreign players or administrators.
"Such application must be accompanied by a COMPELLING motivation. Most important still, sports leaders should be the first to understand why NATIONAL TEAMS cannot play foreigners, no matter how outstanding they may be.
"Morné Steyn cannot represent New Zealand, Dan Carter cannot represent Wales, Wayne Rooney cannot play for Bafana Bafana. The list goes on. Federations, Provinces and Clubs are more than welcome to approach us for advice on these issues. To simply rely on slipping through the legal framework (as the CEO of the Sharks seems to be doing) is very dangerous and negligent.
"Let us take our country more seriously. Only citizens of a country may represent that country."
Reports around the world yesterday suggested that Mtawarira will remain with the South African team but he may still be declared to be "ineligible" to play for the national side.
He was named in the Springbok side for the first Test but, such is the uncertainty, that it could be his last should he play in the game.
It was claimed, as late as Thursday, that South African Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile had still not given permission for the man -- known worldwide as 'Beast' -- to play for the Boks.
Mtawarira, who has 19 Test caps to his credit, will remain with the squad -- despite intense behind the scenes negotiations.
Last Saturday Saru said in a statement that Mtawarira had been cleared to tour with the Bok squad following "productive discussions" between Saru and the Sports Ministry.
Saru was alerted to clauses in the National Sport & Recreation Amendment Act, 2007, which needed to be completed before Mtawarira's place, in the end-of-year tour squad, could be confirmed.
"We are delighted with the news after discovering this problem during the week," Saru President Oregan Hoskins said.
"The government has been very helpful in expediting the completion of the necessary protocols and we're all relieved that Beast will be available for selection for the Springboks against France in Toulouse on Friday."
However, Stofile, has since released a statement, which appears to contradict this.
According to the statement, Mtawarira is still ineligible to play for the Boks.
The full statement, from the Ministry of Sport and Recreation, reads:
"Subject -- Ministry of Sport and Recreation Comment on Tendai Mtawarira's Inclusion In the South African Rugby Team.
l SA Rugby has requested the Minister of Sport & Recreation SA, Rev Dr Makhenkesi Stofile, to intervene in securing South African citizenship for Tendai "The Beast" Mtawarira, a Zimbabwean national, who plays professional rugby in South Africa.
l This request to have the Minister use his position to have the process of securing permanent residence and, subsequently, citizenship expedited ahead of the year end tour in Europe, has exposed our sport administrators' clear disrespect or lack of understanding of our laws.
l Talented as he is, Tendai, like all foreign nationals plying their trade in South Africa, is bound by the laws of this country. The migration laws of our country are clear on issues relating to permanent residence and citizenship.
We expect our sport administrators to understand and respect legislation that regulate their business. None of the athletes, sport codes, or federations can be bigger than the country.
l While Tendai is a live wire on the field of play, the question is whether it is, in the first place, justifiable to say he has scarce skills - the rationale that would have enabled him to obtain the current work permit. If we go the route our rugby administrators are requesting us to take, and facilitate the fast-tracking of Tendai's citizenship, what would this say to all rugby players in our country?
l We cannot as a Government Department responsible for sport and recreation in this country, afford to insult our players like this. The principle here is clear -- Only citizens of our country can play for our national team, irrespective of the sport code.
Therefore, no foreign national can play for any of our national teams, no matter how outstanding they may be. If any player, in any code, is to become a South African citizen, this has to be done within the legal framework of our country.
l Federations, Provinces and clubs, are more than welcome to approach us for advice on similar issues, instead of trying to slip a player through the legal framework."
Saru declined to comment, saying that they stand by their original statement.
"Saru has noted the statement by the Sports Ministry regarding Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira," the statement said.
"Saru has no further comment on the matter and wish to refer media to our attached statement issued on Saturday, 7 November 2009."
The media is also having a feast.
"I don't know who deserves the tonsil of the month award more -- the wise men who decided to include an injured Chiliboy Ralepelle in the Springbok team to face Leicester or the Government's delayed reaction to questioning Mtawarira's inclusion, wrote Zeena Isaacs in the Business Day.
"The chops at the Sports Ministry were equally feebleminded in their decision to question Mtawarira's inclusion in terms of clause 6(3) of the National Sport and Recreation Amendment Act of 2007 in the selection of Mtawarira -- a Zimbabwean -- in the Bok touring squad.
"It's a move that was clearly an attempt to show rugby's bosses they are playing big brother.
"The clause states that the sports bodies have to explain the selection of non-South African nationals over their local counterparts to the sports minister if requested.
"The joke is that Mtawarira made his Test debut in June last year and already has 19 caps.
"He is a key player in the Bok starting XV and his selection is based purely on merit, yet the ministry felt the need to question his inclusion in the national squad.
"Unlike scrumhalf Ricky Januarie, who was included in the squad in the past few years despite failing to make Western Province's starting XV due to his poor form, Mtawarira deserves to be there.
"What makes the situation even more ironic is the fact that the Government has been adamant, since before the 2007 Rugby World Cup, that more black players should be selected for the national squad - and preferably ethnic black.
"I would not be surprised if these same Government officials were rejoicing with the rest of the country when Mtawarira destroyed veteran English prop Phil Vickery in the scrums in the Test series against the British and Irish Lions.
"The Springboks are on the verge of one of their best years in history outside of a World Cup year.
"Trying to change things in the Bok team should be the last thing the Government is thinking about."
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Come back, beast - all is forgiven! Yes, Tendai, there is a God!