Royal AM boss Shauwn 'Mamkhize' Mkhize Royal AM boss Shauwn 'Mamkhize' Mkhize has apologised to her players over the non-payment of their salaries during the Festive Season. Photo: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Media
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Media
The Premier Soccer League on Wednesday announced that Royal AM's upcoming fixture against Orlando Pirates has been cancelled.
This comes after Thwihli Thwahla's game against Chippa United earlier this year was called off as the club go through a financial crisis due to owner Shauwn Mkhize owing the taxman R40 million.
It emerged that this was due to players not returning to training following the non-payment of their December salaries by the club. Days later, it was announced that the players had been paid, and they would be resuming their preparations for their fixture against Pirates.
However, the league has now come out and said they are not happy with what has happened at the KwaZulu-Natal-based club.
"On 17 January 2025, [the PSL] were informed that a joint letter of comfort [from the club and curator] would be provided confirming that the issues that led to the club being unable to meet its commitments had been resolved," the PSL said in a statement on Wednesday.
"No such letter of comfort has been forthcoming and the [PSL] has been left with no alternative but to cancel [the game against] Orlando Pirates at Harry Gwala Stadium, and to suspend all other Royal AM fixtures (Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup) until further notice.
The PSL went on to say they would give the club until this coming Friday to resolve the matter.
Royal AM are currently under the curatorship of the South African Revenue Services as owner, businesswoman and socialite Mkhize currently owes R40 million to the taxman. In November of last year, her La Lucia, Durban home was raided by officials from the South African Police Services (SAPS) and SARS.
The club have also been handed a transfer ban by world football governing body FIFA due to owing money to former players Samir Nurkovic and Ricardo Nascimento. Their inability to sign players has led to Mkhize's son, club chairman Andile Mpisane, playing regularly in the Betway Premiership.
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