Western Province Rugby Union vice-president Gerald Njengele has been suspended for four years for breaching the union’s code of ethics.

Njengele was involved in an incident that took place at the Cape Town Sevens last December. According to a report, Njengele was accused of launching a verbal and racial attack on Jessie Claassen, who is the national manager of the Vuka Rugby Programme – an SA Rugby-affiliated initiative that aims to cater for rugby development in the country.

Netwerk24 reported that Claassen refused to shake Njengele’s hand due to a previous altercation, and that Njengele responded: ‘F**k you white people, f**k the coloureds. I’m a clever darkie. I don’t need your f*****g money.’

Njengele denied that he made those comments at the time.

On Monday, WPRU president Thelo Wakefield told Netwerk24 that Njengele has been suspended for four years. It’s yet to be confirmed on what account Njengele has been found guilty.

According to Wakefield, Njengele will appeal the decision.