Multimillion-rand boxing tournaments reported to Public Protector

Provincial government contracts awarded to a promoter for two boxing events could face further scrutiny.

The DA has questioned the validity of the two contracts worth a combined R5.5 million and reported the matter to the Public Protector.

The Gauteng department of sports, arts, culture and recreation has been accused of not following its own rules regarding the awarding of contracts to businesses in the province.

R5.5 million for boxing events

During the 2023/24 financial year, the department awarded a R3.5 million deal to a company to stage a boxing tournament in Gauteng.

In September 2024, a boxing event held as a tribute to Nelson Mandela was hosted in Midrand by the same company, this time with R2 million backing from the department.  

DA shadow MEC for sports Kingsol Chabalala contends that opportunities had been promised to businesses in the province and this week reported the matter Public Protector to investigate.

“The DA suspects a violation of tender requirements, potentially compromising the fairness and integrity of the procurement process,” Chabalala said.

“Additionally, we believe that awarding this contract to a company outside of Gauteng may have denied local businesses the opportunity they deserved,” he added.

‘Events that attract investment’

In a copy of the call to submit event proposals from 2022, the criteria and conditions stipulate the geographic requirements for companies and event locations.

“Only Gauteng-based organisations may apply and projects to be implemented in Gauteng,” the request for proposals said initially.

However, later versions of the same documents calling for proposals do not have the same stipulation.  

In an earlier written response to questions posed by the DA, department MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed the department financially supported the events to the value of R5.5 million.

“The tournament was supported through the provincial bidding and hosting committee in response to the sixth administration’s elevated priorities as well as CGT2030 imperatives which sought to strategically host events that attract investment,” Chiloane’s written reply said.   

The department and the boxing promoters were contacted by The Citizen on Thursday for comment but none had been received at the time of publication.

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