After denying that the National Professional Boxing Promoters Association (NPBPA) had resolved to take Minister of Sport Zizi Kodwa to court in the wake of his announcement of the new board of Boxing South Africa (BSA), NPBPA deputy-secretary Phathutshedzo Dongola has finally admitted that indeed his organisation has taken the legal route against Kodwa.
Dongola’s admission was made in an NPBPA press release, which said that the promoters association has taken a legal fight to Kodwa over the board’s appointment.
“The National Professional Boxing Promoters Association notes with grave concern the appointment of the new board of Boxing South Africa by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Zizi Kodwa, without following due process,” the NPBPA statement said.
“On the 24th of November 2023 and on its website, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture posted a media advisory advising that Mr Zizi Kodwa will on the 28th of November 2023 be leading a media briefing where he will be announcing important developments in South African sport, arts and culture. On the 28th of November 2023 the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture released a statement purportedly by and/or for the Minister which lists 7 (seven) member board appointed by the Minister. This at a time when the NPBPA was still awaiting in anticipation being consulted by the Minister as required by relevant law.”
Ink Sport reported on the 1st of December 2023 that after the executive committee of the NPBPA, provincial chairpersons and secretaries held a virtual meeting they decided to take Kodwa court, especially on his decision to appoint Sifiso Shongwe as BSA board chairperson.
“After due consideration and deliberations, the NPBPA instructed its attorneys to write to the Minister in this regard. We can confirm that a letter dated 4 December 2023, whose contents are now sub judice, was sent to and received by the Minister’s office for his urgent attention and for a response by no later than close of business on 5 December 2023. After no response nor acknowledgement was received from the Minister’s office, the NPBPA instructed its attorneys to take the necessary legal steps to safeguard the NPBPA’s and/or its member’s statutorily entrenched right. We can confirm that the NPBPA has initiated the necessary legal process to see justice not only being done but being seen to be done,” the NPBPA statement further said.
We can reveal that the penniless NPBPA has asked its members to contribute R2000 towards the legal costs. However, a sizeable number of promoters are having none of it.
Meanwhile, the incoming BSA board which will be take office on Tuesday is made up of Shongwe, Luxolo September, Sakhiwe Sodo, Romy Titus, Nande Mheshe, Princess Mangoma and Dr Mary-Gene Manthata-Setati.
