Judge recuses from Sidinile suit

Eastern Cape High Court Judge Templeton Mageza yesterday recused himself from a R617300 lawsuit against well-known boxing promoter Andile Sidinile, 48, by Boxing South Africa (BSA), saying he knew him personally.

This as court proceedings to recoup monies owed to boxers and officials for a boxing tournament organised by Sidinile in April last year began in the high court sitting in East London.

Judge Mageza told the counsel for Sidinile, Advocate Lucy Burger, and BSA’s Advocate Xola Nyangiwe that he could not listen to the matter as he had known Sidinile for a long time.

A new judge will need to be selected and the case was postponed to November 7 for that purpose. Sidinile was not present in court.

BSA has gone to court to compel Sidinile to pay up.

In his affidavit in support of the application, BSA chief executive David Lejaka said the board decided to recover all funds from Sidinile on March 23 this year.

He said although Sidinile, of Sijuta Promotions, had indicated he would defend the suit, he had no bona fide defence to the action.

According to court documents, a total of 13 boxers participated in the tournament and are owed purse monies. They are:

lSimphiwe Vatyeka – R300000;

lLuziko Soyo – R90000;

lXolisa Ndongeni – R100000;

lNtlantla Ngamntwini – R35000;

lMzwabantu Dabaza – R18000;

lGlovanni Bushby – R45000;

lAlfoz Tissen – R20000;

lSimphiwe Lusizi – R30000;

lMyolisi Xayo – R8000;

lNkosinathi Joyi – R30000;

lOscar Kwankwa – R20000;

lSinethemba Bam – R10000; and

lAphiwe Tshili – R6000.

“Boxing regulations require that all purse monies for the tournament be deposited with BSA before the date of the tournament,” according to the BSA’s papers.

“ did not deposit the purse money with BSA, and instead misrepresented to BSA that he had secured sponsorship from government.

“ further presented a letter purportedly serving as guarantee that government will pay for the tournament, but the letter was subsequently found to have been falsified.”

In his defence, Sidinile, who is the former CEO of Sijuta Promotions, said in his affidavit that Lejaka had no knowledge of the matter brought before court.

“I did not contract with in my personal capacity. Any agreements entered into were between Sijuta Promotions CC, of which I am not a member and, as such, has proceeded against the incorrect party.

“It is further denied that there are any monies due owing and payable to the persons mentioned. I would need to ventilate this further in my plea and subsequently in the trial.

“It is denied that has the right to claim sanctioning fees,” Sidinile said.

He has asked the court to dismiss the application with costs.

lMeanwhile, BSA yesterday removed from the roll a summary judgment application against another boxing promoter Siphatho Handi, 51, of Mamali Boxing Promotions.

No explanation was given in court for the removal by BSA’s counsel.

BSA launched the application to recoup R895425 owed to eight boxers and boxing officials for a tournament held at the Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre on March 22 2015.

Boxers who participated in the tournament were:

lNkosinathi Joyi – R250000;

lMzonke Fana – R200000;

lKoos Sibiya – R60000;

lMfusi Maxhayi – R100000;

lMxolisi Nombevu – R90000;

lSiviwe Hasheni – R80000;

lBongani Mahlangu – R15000; and

lSinethemba Magabisela – R20000.

BSA said in court papers that Handi owed them R75000 in sanctioning fees for the tournament. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za