In a significant legal move, Polokwane City, a Premier League football club, has initiated a R15 million defamation lawsuit against former Orlando Pirates star Mpho Makola. The lawsuit stems from comments Makola made during an interview on the Arena Sports Show, in which he described a controversial incident involving the club’s management.
Allegations Leading to the Lawsuit
According to reports, Makola accused Polokwane City’s owner of instructing the team manager to dispose of food intended for the players by feeding it to the owner’s dogs as punishment for a match loss. The alleged incident is said to have occurred following Polokwane City’s defeat against Hungry Lions in Kimberly.
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Makola, who parted ways with the club last year under contentious circumstances, recounted how the club’s owner allegedly directed the administrative staff to withhold food from the players and feed it to his dogs at a farm in Limpopo. He further expressed his disdain for the management, stating,
“When I heard this, I didn’t want to know what happened – did they actually do it or not? I actually lost respect for that person and those people in the bus who work with him because, apparently, those are the kind of things they do at that team.”
Mpho Makola-Image Source@XPolokwane City’s Response
In response to these accusations, Polokwane City and its owner have taken legal action, filing a defamation lawsuit in the Johannesburg High Court. The club maintains that Makola’s statements are not only false but have also caused significant damage to their reputation.
The legal documents filed by the club suggest that Makola’s comments were made with the intent to defame and harm the reputation of both the club and its owner. The lawsuit argues that Makola’s statements imply the club engages in inhumane, aggressive, and unethical behaviour towards its players, treating them “worse than dogs.”
Financial and Reputational Damages
The lawsuit claims that the defamatory remarks have resulted in financial losses exceeding R7.5 million for Polokwane City. Moreover, the club is seeking an additional R7.5 million in damages for the harm caused to its reputation, bringing the total amount sought to R15 million.
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In addition to the financial compensation, Polokwane City is also demanding a public apology from Makola and a retraction of his statements. The club asserts that these actions are necessary to restore the damage done to its public image and its owner’s personal reputation.
The Broader Implications
This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tension between football clubs and their players, particularly when public statements can significantly impact the club’s reputation and financial standing. If Polokwane City succeeds in its legal pursuit, it could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled, especially within the sports industry.
The outcome of this case is eagerly anticipated, as it will affect the involved parties and could influence the dynamics of player-club relationships in South African football.