The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has published a directive against romantic connections in the workplace, months after an alleged scandalous affair between Springboks player Elton Jantjies and team dietitian Zeenat Simjee…
While the organization has cautioned that such instances might lead to “conflict of interest, favoritism, and employee morale,” it has not completely ruled out romantic relationships between teammates and coworkers.
Netwerk24 reports that Saru’s policy regarding sexual and romantic relationships went into effect on January 1, 2023. Last year, Springboks player Elton Jantjies admitted to having an affair with the team’s dietitian.
Saru informs employees of the complications of working romances in the policy.
“Romantic or sexual connections between employees within an organization can create the perception of a major conflict of interest, as well as concerns such as favoritism and morale issues.
“Additionally, it may result in negative publicity for Saru and bring both the union and the individual into disrepute.”
Springbok management has sent back flyhalf Elton Jantjies and team dietitian Zeenat Simjee after rumours involving both in a romantic relationship and a hotel incident in Mbombela.
Springboks are ready for the pivotal Rugby Championship encounter against Argentina.
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— Zukiswa Tshaka (@ZukiswaTshaka1) September 12, 2022
Additionally, Saru cautions against connections between junior and senior employees.
Even if these connections are consensual, they might cause friction or problems in the workplace. In addition to charges of workplace bias, personal conflicts outside of Saru can affect day-to-day working relationships, which can have a negative effect on the workplace.
However, it does not forbid it, stating that romantic relationships are permitted as long as they are reported to management and appropriate stakeholders.
In contrast to Elton Jantjies and Zeenat Simjee, the agreements say that the identities of persons in partnerships must be kept strictly confidential.
“Saru, its employees, and all other relevant parties shall protect the confidentiality of the identity of those involved in the relationship.
“All communications and disclosures pertaining to the romantic or sexual relationship must be treated as confidential.”
ELTON JANTJIES AND ZEENAT SIMJEE ‘AFFAIR’
Elton Jantjies and Zeenat Simjee made headlines in September of last year when an eyewitness spotted them at a guesthouse in Mbombela a month earlier.
In a November interview with News24, Elton came clean about his affair with “Zee,” despite their initial denials of a hotel liaison.
Then, Zeenat asserted that there was a case of “mistaken identity.”
Elton Jantjies has confessed that he had an affair with Zeenat Simjee, a dietitian for the Springboks, but he has refuted allegations that he attended a rehabilitation facility. pic.twitter.com/JRKA6K0jGL
November 8, 2022 — RugbyPass (@RugbyPass)
Elton has also divorced his wife, Iva Ristic, who alleged that Zeenat was “protected by SA Rugby.”
Iva told The South African of Zeenat, “She doesn’t care what people think as long as she continues to work. And I believe she is very well protected by South African rugby.”
Iva also believes Zeenat’s “affair” with Elton Jantjies began in 2019: “There was NO internal procedure to even CHECK if there was a breach of contract on HER part.”
Iva stated of her own conversation with Zeenat in the aftermath of the alleged affair through Instagram direct message, “I simply asked her, ‘Do you have something to tell me?’ She read the message but did not respond; she subsequently blocked me. After that, she made no effort to communicate with me until today.
The Springboks WAG said, “She [Zeenat] only responds through her attorney, who makes things so much worse for her… such as the twin story.”
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