By Bongani Magasela
Judge Margaret Victor ordered Boxing SA and its suspended chief executive Moffat Qithi to pay Milenkovic R250000 apiece for comments Qithi made.
Victor found the comments to be defamatory and “inspired by malice”.
Judge Victor also ordered Boxing SA – which is dependent on state funding – to pay all legal costs, which are estimated to be almost R4-million.
Qithi was quoted in two newspaper articles in mid-2012 on fighter Noni Tenge being stripped of her IBF world title for inactivity. In the one report, Qithi said Milenkovic was to blame for her being stripped, and in the other he said Milenkovic had breached his contract with her.
Said Milenkovic: “I maintain that it was purely arrogance from people within Boxing SA which has cost taxpayers so much money. We could have sorted this out over a cup of coffee.”
Milenkovic’s legal team included advocates Laurens Hodes and David Swartz.
Hodes’s previous clients include reputed crime lord Glenn Agliotti, EFF president Julius Malema and suspended head of police crime intelligence Richard Mdluli. Swartz’s clients include Zondwa Mandela and businessman Khulubuse Zuma. The money spent in fighting Milenkovic could have created around 30 boxing gyms in rural areas.
Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula was last year quoted as saying he had put aside R20-million to fight Milenkovic.
Said Milenkovic: “I assume it is very easy for one to use taxpayers’ money rather than pay from your own pocket.”
Milenkovic has just finalised upgrading two amateur boxing gyms – the Jake Ntuli Swimming Pool Gym in Orlando and the Jersey Joe Boxing Gym in Alexander.
Milenkovic has another court action looming against Boxing SA, this time over the ownership of television rights.
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