Tensions between TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic and Rulani Mokwena have spilt over into the courtroom, with court papers revealing how much the lawsuit could cost the Mamelodi Sundowns coach.
The lawsuit centres on comments made by Mokwena following an April match, accusing Ramovic of instructing his players to target and injure Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu.Court documents reveal that Mokwena allegedly made the following comments after the April 29 match: “I am disappointed with the tackle on Bongani Zungu; I was told already last night that the coach of the opposition showed that tackle, that Bongani Zungu made on Bernard Parker. Showed it to the players and said don’t forget what Bongani Zungu did.”
Zungu’s tackle on Parker in October 2023 resulted in the TS Galaxy forward suffering a broken leg.TS Galaxy and Ramovic claim these statements have caused significant harm to their reputations. The club is seeking R1 million in damages for reputational harm, while Ramovic is seeking an additional R250,000 for personal reputational damage and insult.
The lawsuit also demands that Mokwena retract his previous remarks, cease making further defamatory statements, and cover the plaintiffs’ legal costs.
“The Defamation of the Plaintiff(s) and the injury to Mr Ramovic’s dignity has caused them both damage. First Plaintiff suffered and continues to suffer reputational harm and has thus suffered damages in the sum of R1000 000.00.
“Second Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer reputational harm alternatively insult and has thus suffered damages in the sum of R250 000.00,” read the court papers.
The lawsuit contends that Mokwena made the comments with knowledge of their potential harm and ignored demands to retract them. The plaintiffs argue that the statements continue to cause reputational damage and have injured Ramovic’s dignity and self-esteem.
With South Africa set to face Nigeria and Zimbabwe in FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June, Mbanjwa earned a place in the provisional 36-man squad that will be trimmed to 23 players by Broos.
He says Broos assured him there was a reason for his first call-up. The Belgian man encouraged him to maintain his playing style from AmaZulu and avoid trying to overdo it.
“He emphasised on believing in myself. And that the fact that I’m there for a purpose and he didn’t call me just to call me but he saw something in me,” said Mbanjwa.
“He saw potential, he saw something that other people couldn’t see in me. He emphasised that I must do the right things.
“And he told me that I mustn’t try to impress too much but I must play my normal football, the football that he saw me playing at AmaZulu.”
Mbanjwa signed for Usuthu at the beginning of the season from Uthongathi FC and has become one of the key players for the KZN side.
He found adapting to the top flight easier than expected, having already experienced high intensity in the second tier.
“My first season in the PSL, I wouldn’t say it was hard. It was okay, not that bad,” he added.
“Coming from NFD where intensity is very high and coming to PSL where there is so much spaces and you are able to play.”
