Pretoria Harlequins are facing an uncertain future after the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality ordered the site to be restored to its “original condition” by 13 April.
Civil rights organisation AfriForum has stepped in to provide legal assistance, questioning the basis of the notice and calling for clarity from the metro. The dispute centres on the club’s zoning status, which the municipality says remains “unallocated” – typically reserved for agricultural land.
Harlequins applied as far back as 2021 to have the land rezoned for sport and recreation, but the application has yet to be finalised.
“The Tshwane Metro’s failure to fulfil their administrative duties could now lead to the closure of a club that has played an important role in the community since 1903. We are already consulting with our legal team on our next steps,” said AfriForum district coordinator Maree van den Berg.
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Founded more than a century ago, Harlequins has produced 64 Springboks and remains a key hub for youth development across multiple sports, including rugby, cricket, hockey and athletics. The club has around 800 members and supports several jobs.
“In a country where unemployment is a significant problem, it cannot be afforded that a single job is lost due to a metro’s administrative negligence,” Van den Berg added.
AfriForum has launched a petition in support of the club, while a community gathering is planned for 11 April to rally backing and increase pressure on the metro.
The post Pretoria rugby club fights metro for survival appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Pretoria Harlequins are facing an uncertain future after the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality ordered the site to be restored to its “original condition” by 13 April.
The post Pretoria rugby club fights metro for survival appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
