Minister of Sport Zizi Kodwa has welcomed the High Court ruling on the matter, which was brought by the National Professional Boxing Promoters Association (NPBPA).
The NPBPA had taken Kodwa, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana, Boxing South Africa (BSA) and Mandla Ntlanganiso following the latter’s appointment as BSA accounting authority. The NPBPA wanted Ntlanganiso’s appointment to be declared irregular and invalid.
“The judgement marks a salutary corrective measure on the path to restore stability and ethical governance at Boxing SA. For too long, Boxing SA has been bleeding as an institution, with athletes losing match time, and promoters and trainers losing their market share,” Kodwa said.
“This court decision is an opportunity for all stakeholders in South African boxing to link and focus on the roadmap to reset and revitalise the sport in the country. I have repeatedly said that let’s box in the ring and not in the courts. Let us focus, engage, and work together to build this sporting code that lies close to the hearts of millions of South Africans. Let us work together to revive South African boxing.”
The court found that the NPBPA had no right to take Kodwa, Godongwana, BSA and Ntlanganiso to court because the NPBPA was not compliant in terms of section 28 (3) and (4) of the Boxing Act. The NPBPA lacked the capacity to to appear in court.
“The applicant locates its legal standing in the Boxing Act. It follows that to prove its existence it just comply with the provisions of the Boxing Act. Boxing SA’s conduct in sending the applicant a congratulatory letter does not equate to submission of financial statements a peremptory requirement. With this shortcoming alone the applicant lacks legal standing. In the result the point in limine must succeed,” the court said.
