Royal AM future remains unclear on Monday, with reports that club owners Shauwn Mkhize and chairman Andile Mpisane, seen here, remaining mum on the situation. Photo: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Media
The future of Royal AM hangs precariously in the balance as players cautiously resume training following a prolonged strike over unpaid salaries.
A small group of the club's staff returned on Monday, after a long-drawn battle that saw them forgo their wages for January, finally receiving their dues facilitated by the curator overseeing the club’s administration.
However, for many players still hesitant to engage, the return to training offers little solace as the club teeters on the brink of potential liquidation or a forced sale, a fate that could spell disaster for the team that once made headlines in South African football.
With the club now embroiled in a financial crisis linked to an alarming R40 million debt owed to SARS, Royal AM's situation has grown dire.
I miss my team Royal Am Thwihli Thwahla pic.twitter.com/9ZOmQfDsSI
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Earlier this month, the PSL was prompted to suspend all Royal AM fixtures indefinitely, leaving fans and players desperate for clarity and resolution. The curator assigned to manage the club’s affairs is preparing to present a report to the court, recommending either liquidation or the sale of Royal AM.
In a glimmer of hope, reports suggest a buyer is already waiting in the wings, eager to take the reins and possibly restore some stability.
A Durban-based publication disclosed, “On Monday, the curator will submit to court that Royal AM has to be sold. If they don’t find a buyer, they will liquidate the club. Furthermore, the curator will recommend that the PSL not expel Royal AM immediately, but rather wait until a buyer is found.”
Despite the looming crisis Royal AM’s president, Shauwn Mkhize, remains resolute, reportedly fighting tooth and nail to maintain control of the club she purchased for her son, Andile Mpisane.
A source told Independent Newspapers that Mkhize is attempting to prevent liquidation or a sale. Ultimately, the court's decision will hinge on the curator's findings, placing all hope in a highly uncertain outcome.
In response to the turmoil, the PSL has convened an urgent board of governors meeting scheduled for Wednesday, where representatives from all 32 clubs in the Betway Premiership and Motsepe Foundation Championship will evaluate Royal AM's standing.
There’s mounting pressure from several PSL clubs calling for Royal AM's expulsion, alleging that the club has tarnished the reputation of the league and its sponsors.
🚨 𝐍𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰🚨
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) February 17, 2025
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The roots of Royal AM's troubles can be traced back to the seizure of Mkhize's assets by SARS due to alleged insufficient tax payments, a move that has left the club scrambling to meet its financial obligations.
The recent asset seizure has frozen crucial accounts, disrupting payments to players, who only saw December salaries trickle in during January. Compounding the team's plight, the PSL has also suspended monthly grant payments, largely due to dissatisfaction from headline sponsor Betway over inadequate exposure.
Royal AM's last appearance on the field ended unfavourably, with a 3-1 defeat to TS Galaxy on 29 December, leaving them languishing at the bottom of the Betway Premiership table with a mere eight points from 11 matches.
This publication's attempts to reach the club for a comment were unanswered.