The union handed over control to Saru to allow Border's operations to be normalised. No time limit has been put on Saru's control. The decision was taken in November at Saru's request.

The impact of the decision was that only Saru personnel would have signing powers on Border's accounts, Saru said in a statement.

Monde Tabata, an East London-based member of the Saru Executive Council (Exco), has been confirmed as the union's administrator.

Tabata has assisted Border for a number of months in an advisory role at the direction of the Saru Exco.

"The Border executive agreed to Saru taking control at our request," said Saru chief executive Jurie Roux.

"It is not Saru's role to run member federations and it is something that the Exco would only consider as a last resort.

"That point had been reached with Border and we pointed that out to their executive, who agreed to hand over the management of the union to Saru."

"The union faces severe financial issues due to a number of historical factors and on ongoing management challenges.

Roux said that Saru would return control of the union's affairs to Border officials once that had been achieved.