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The stakes have been raised in the impasse between promoter Branco Milenkovic (pictured left) and Sports and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula over boxing’s television rights.
In a strongly worded letter sent by Milenkovic’s lawyers to the minister, the promoter claims the “blame” for discussions about the broadcasting of boxing being back at “square one”, as the minister claimed in an article in City Press in March, was “solely in your hands”.
The letter, dated April 2, was prompted by an exclusive article in which Mbalula said he would meet Milenkovic to negotiate an out-of-court settlement on broadcasting rights – a breakthrough that would bring an end to the protracted boxing blackout at the SABC.
The letter, written by Milenkovic’s lawyer David Swartz, accuses Mbalula of shifting the blame for the delay.
Among other things, the letter says:
. “Regarding the current TV blackout, as the above clearly evidences that the current impasse is directly and solely attributable to yourself.
. “The statements made by you, while in the public interest, are misleading and false, to say the least.
. “Your statement regarding our client’s application before court in terms of which you have stated that this is the cause for the blackout is simply not true.”
. “To make the statement that a meeting has been agreed when you have not even invited our client to such a meeting is reckless, to say the least.
The boxing blackout started in 2012 after Boxing SA (BSA) claimed ownership of broadcast rights. This was after it instructed the public broadcaster not to negotiate directly with promoters. The decision unsettled Milenkovic, who began litigation on the grounds that the BSA’s actions were “unlawful and uncommon” – a matter he won.
Mbalula’s comments to City Press a few weeks ago that he would meet Milenkovic “next month” to have a discussion were greeted with excitement by the promoter, who said at the time that “I can’t wait for the meeting with the minister.”
But his excitement quickly turned to irritation when Mbalula’s office failed to set up the meeting.
Further clarifying Milenkovic’s position, the lawyers wrote: “Over the last five years, our client has on various occasions offered to the SABC an opportunity to televise fights in which boxers contracted to our client were partaking, all of which fell on deaf ears. This has resulted in our client being forced to take South African boxers abroad to fight.”
They also lambasted the department’s director-general, Alec Moemi, for claiming that the reason the BSA should control the broadcast rights was as a result of certain promoters having defrauded the BSA.
“This is nonsensical to cure the issue of the alleged promoters defrauding the BSA. The BSA allocating TV dates is certainly not the answer.”
In response, an annoyed Mbalula would have none of this when contacted, saying there was nothing he was willing to say, as the matter was sub judice.
“Look my brother, I’m not going to comment on this matter because it’s in the hands of the court of law. You can write what you like,” said Mbalula.
When City Press pointed out to him that the matter was not sub judice, as it was not in front of any court but merely concerned correspondence from Milenkovic’s lawyers, he nevertheless refused to elaborate.
Milenkovic said if the minister wanted to meet him, he must not send the invitation through the media.
“We haven’t met so far about the issue. I’m prepared to honour an appointment if he calls me for a meeting to discuss this matter. So far the two of us haven’t met about this,” said Milenkovic
