Boxing SA throws punch at graft

Boxing South Africa acting CEO Loyiso Mtya has been suspended, the national governing body has announced.

Mtya, who is employed full time by the national governing body as director of operations, had been under investigation following allegations, among others, of taking kickbacks from promoters and wooing female boxers.

These allegations were made to The Times by a whistleblower via an affidavit last month.

BSA chairman Ntambi Ravele last week said: "The board agreed that we need to do a preliminary investigation within 14 days and will make a decision."

According to a memo circulated to all licensees yesterday, BSA's newly elected board met on July 5 to conduct its first meeting and among the issues discussed were those allegations.

It was in that meeting that the board resolved to conduct preliminary investigations of Mtya.

Ravele's statement reads: "The board considered the outcome of the preliminary investigation and found the preliminary findings to be serious and therefore resolved to place Mr Mtya on a precautionary suspension pending the outcome of a full investigation. A further communiqué will be sent to you should circumstances require so.

"In the meantime, BSA operations will continue as normal.

"The board has in the interim requested the Department of Sport and Recreation to bolster the administration of BSA by sending a team of specialists to address some shortcomings within the BSA administration.

"Your cooperation while BSA resolves this issue and strengthens its administration would be highly appreciated."

Ravele confirmed to The Times that Mtya has been suspended.

"We have done so with immediate effect pending a full investigation. We will get specialists to handle that matter."