By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Dream Team Promotions boss Lebo Mahoko has vowed to fight against Boxing South Africa (BSA) when he appears before a disciplinary committee on Thursday, 6 May.
Mahoko and BSA are set to collide after the boxing body alleged that the Mangaung-based fight promoter violated COVID-19 regulations.
Mahoko found himself on the wrong side of the law after he allegedly allowed Free State MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Limakatso Mahasa and her entourage of about 15 or more people attend his 12 December tournament in Maokeng, Kroonstad. The tournament was sponsored by Mahasa’s department.
BSA charged Mahoko after receiving post-tournament reports from both Free State provincial manager Mzolisa Mabuya and his Gauteng counterpart Lehlohonolo Ramagole.
A BSA charge sheet also alleges that Mahoko contravened Rule 4.2.1 of the organisation and is also charged for allegedly lying about having had permission to allow Mahasa and her entourage to remain in the hall.
“It is further alleged that the two provincial managers who were present at the tournament, Gauteng acting provincial manager Lehlohonolo Ramagole and Free State provincial manager Mzolisa Mabuya attempted to address the matter with you. You misrepresented to them that you had been granted permission by the chairman of the board of Boxing South Africa to allow spectators at the tournament venue,” the BSA charge sheet reads.
“You have contravened Rule 4 (specifically Rule 4.2.1) of Boxing South Africa rules relating to the disciplinary matters and the disciplinary committee in that your conduct (inviting and/or allowing spectators to remain at the tournament venue).”
An unrepentant Mahoko is taking the fight to BSA because he believes that his sin was being in the forefront of organising a march to SABC headquarters in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, in November last year.
Boxing stakeholders led by Mahoko marched to the SABC demanding that the public broadcaster start showing live local boxing.
“I have been charged for violating COVID rules by allowing the MEC and her entourage into my tournament. We had a hearing last week and BSA lawyers asked for a postponement. I challenge every little nonsense Cindy does thus these charges have been brought against me,” Mahoko said.
The Bloemfontein businessman has challenged acting BSA Cindy Nkomo to charge TLB Boxing Promotions boss Joyce Kungwane as well after Mpumalanga MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Thandi Shongwe and her entourage attended Kungwane’s tournament at the Graceland Casino in Secunda last Saturday.
Ink Sport tried to solicit a comment from Nkomo at 13h49. She dropped the call and sent a message asking Ink Sport to send an SMS. We sent an SMS at 13h56 and she never responded to it. We called again at 16h31 and she dropped our call.
