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.
THE COST OF RULANI MOKWENA’S ALLEGED DEFAMATION LAWSUIT AGAINST TS GALAXY & RAMOVIC
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.
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