Allegations fly thick and fast on the back of bribery rumpus

ONCE again Eastern Cape Promoters Association is embroiled in a bitter row among its executive members after its deputy chairman was accused of taking bribes.

The association, the most influential in the land, which has engaged with Boxing SA on a number of issues, revealed that it had suspended its deputy chairman Champion Bakubaku following bribery allegations.

This after Bakubaku was accused of promising promoters he would solicit funding for them in various government structures and municipalities.

But Bakubaku has denied the allegations. He instead accused his fellow executive members of fighting him because of differences he has with them.

Bakubaku claimed that the allegations centred around his assisting a fellow promoter to draw up a proposal for a tender at the Buffalo City Metro.

“I helped this guy to draw up a proposal so that he could get funding from BCM,” he said.

Bakabaku claimed that he is yet to receive a letter of his suspension, further alleging that his main differences were with chairman of the association Ayanda Matiti.

He says this began when he challenged the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture for only awarding the funding to Matiti and Sibongile, who trades under Zbashy Promotion.

Bakubaku further claimed that he is in line to receive funding from BCM – a development that has peeved Matiti.

But Matiti alleged in the press briefing that several promoters had come forward claiming that Bakubaku demanded bribes from them in exchange for being helped by the association in several deals with government structures as well as seuring television rights.

“This is not my decision but that of the association as this evidence was presented to us all,” he said.

But Bakubaku insisted that he would remain the deputy chairman of the association until it furnishes him with evidence for his suspension.

The latest debacle raises question marks over the promotion company’s administrative functions, characterised by infighting which even led to a dissent group breaking away.

This after some promoters were allegedly sidelined in getting a slice of the financial windfall from the department of sports and recreationfor development of boxing in the province.

The matter is now in court although Pathekile Sinyabi who sought court intervention, has since reconciled and took up a secretary post following the resignation of Max Mabhuti.

The association is also locked in a dispute with Boxing SA over the interpretation of the regulations calling for promoters to cede percentage of the funding of their tournaments.

BSA insists that the percentage must come from the gross amount while the association argues that it must be calculated from the nett profit.

The ticklish matter is currently being handled by the parties’ lawyers.