By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Sport Minister, Zizi Kodwa, has welcomed the Pretoria High Court’s ruling, which dismissed – with costs – the National Professional Boxing Promoter’s Association’s (NPBPA) application for the court to declare the appointment of the Boxing SA Accounting Authority irregular and invalid.
The application was also seeking an order to stop BSA from sanctioning boxing tournaments until a legitimate board was appointed.
In December, the promoters successfully interdicted the BSA board appointed by Kodwa. The Minister then appointed Mandla Ntlanganiso in February as the Acting CEO and Accounting Authority, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, to temporarily replace the board.
In her ruling, Judge Nelisiwe Mali dismissed the application with costs as she found that NPBPA had no legal standing within BSA.
Tuesday’s ruling means Ntlanganiso will remain in his position until May 2024, when a full-time board will be appointed.
Kodwa said the next step is a move to restore stability and ethical governance at Boxing SA.
“The judgement marks a salutary corrective measure on the path to restoring 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.
The Minister believes the court’s 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 Minister pleaded.