Springboks and Sharks prop Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira faces possible deportation if a senior South African member of parliament has his way.
National Assembly sports committee chairman Butana Komphela has re-ignited the debate surrounding Zimbabwean-born Mtawarira's illegibility by insisting that only "bona fide" people should represent South Africa in its national teams - not foreign players. The Mercury reports that Komphela has vowed to have SA Rugby charged for "illegally" fielding Mtawarira and to deport him to Zimbabwe.
"The government is going to punish rugby," he said. "We are going to charge SA Rugby for fielding a foreign national without proper requirements. The portfolio committee has inquired as to why the Beast is still playing [for the Springboks] if he is a foreign national. If this is the case, then it is a contravention of the laws."
Mtawarira, 24, is in the country on a skilled work permit obtained by the Sharks, but Komphela said permits allowing players to represent clubs did not permit their inclusion in national teams. However, SA Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins denied there had been any violation of the laws, insisting that Mtawarira has a skilled work permit and that Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile had cleared his inclusion. "I remain positive about the situation. I do not believe that it [Mtawarira's inclusion in the Bok squad] is a lost cause," he commented.
"We are going to try and sway the government to look at this as a special case, which is not unprecedented in other countries... the Beast has shown his bona fide colours. He has been here since just out of school and has given his life to rugby... and has a lot of support from a lot of people in the rugby word.
"I am going to make sure I cover every nook and cranny, and maybe even go with him to Zimbabwe to make sure we have covered all the bases so we can make the application thoroughly. I am going to dig deep for him and make sure we comply with the immigration laws of South Africa."