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Cape Town - Local rugby writer Mark Keohane has resigned as spokesperson for South Africa's Olympic team after allegations of drug abuse and sexual harassment.
According to Rapport, Keohane resigned from his post on Friday, while also stepping down as director of publishing company, Highbury Safika Media (HSM).
Former female employees of Keohane claim he suffers from a "miserable cocaine addiction", visits prostitutes and also sexually harasses women.
Several employees of Keohane have made similar claims against him over the last two years, which was brought under the attention of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
Keohane said he has informed the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee's (SASCOC) CEO Tubby Reddy of his decision to resign as spokesperson which won't see him go to London for the Olympic Games in July.
Keohane told Rapport there is an agenda against him and he resigned because he can't allow "unhappy and vengeful former employees to undermine the credibility of HSM and SASCOC".
Keohane and HSM signed a contract with SASCOC, believed to be R12m, in 2008. They do all the media liaison work for SASCOC and South Africa's Olympic team.
Keohane said he has already enlisted legal advice to fight the allegations brought against him.
Reddy said SASCOC's contract is with HSM and not with Keohane, but added that should the allegations against Keohane be proven true, it would be contrary to the image the sports body aims to portray.
According to Rapport, Keohane resigned from his post on Friday, while also stepping down as director of publishing company, Highbury Safika Media (HSM).
Former female employees of Keohane claim he suffers from a "miserable cocaine addiction", visits prostitutes and also sexually harasses women.
Several employees of Keohane have made similar claims against him over the last two years, which was brought under the attention of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
Keohane said he has informed the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee's (SASCOC) CEO Tubby Reddy of his decision to resign as spokesperson which won't see him go to London for the Olympic Games in July.
Keohane told Rapport there is an agenda against him and he resigned because he can't allow "unhappy and vengeful former employees to undermine the credibility of HSM and SASCOC".
Keohane and HSM signed a contract with SASCOC, believed to be R12m, in 2008. They do all the media liaison work for SASCOC and South Africa's Olympic team.
Keohane said he has already enlisted legal advice to fight the allegations brought against him.
Reddy said SASCOC's contract is with HSM and not with Keohane, but added that should the allegations against Keohane be proven true, it would be contrary to the image the sports body aims to portray.
