Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize, the president of Royal AM, has gone out swinging in her efforts to clear the air on claims leveled against her club.
A close source had been in contact with her since Wednesday night over claims that at least six players, maybe even more, had not been paid their salaries since she purchased the topflight status of Bloemfontein Celtic last month.
According to documents from the Premier Soccer League, which were publicly leaked and seen by Soccer Laduma, Celtic were bought as a going concern and meant that Royal AM would absorb all the existing contracts for both staff and players.
Following relocation to Durban, it’s understood that up to 100 employees (both staff and players) reported on the first day since the merger.
Several of the Royal AM players also departed to join TTM, which resurfaced to buy the GladAfrica Championship status that had now been disposed in favour of a move up to the DStv Premiership by Mkhize.
But this week serious allegations were made – among them were that Mkhize did not deliver on her promise to accommodate those who arrived from the Free State, failed to pay salaries of about 15 players and paid only half to those who did get their wages.
The final blow was that she had promised lodging for those relocating, but they were allegedly left to fend for themselves in a new city.
She rubbished the claims and confirmed to the Siya crew that only eight players “had a problem because of their contracts, hence we called them”.
Mkhize then took to her Instagram account for a detailed response to her more than 1.6-million followers on the social media platform.
Below is her full statement:
I wish to clarify some of the damning allegations that were made:
- Our match with AmaZulu FC was cancelled due to medical issues the AmaZulu team were having which I am not at liberty to discuss further but feel free to reach them for a comment.
- (Only) 8 players were not able to receive payment due to issues with their contracts needing to be finalised. The matter is ongoing and (will) being sorted hence we have personally called the (players’) union President to come and assist.
- Players that are sharing rooms is out of choice not because we forced them to. They are friends and they asked to be put in the same room. I fail to see why this is even being reported on.
- We are not responsible for housing players and their families. They are professional players who earn salaries and are liable for their housing arrangements. We provide accommodation in-season when the team is camping at the base.
- I know journalists have some code “never reveal my source” my advice is to make sure that your ‘source’ knows what they are talking about!!! Royal AM has a full team of people that are qualified to comment and verify on any queries or questions you may have.
I really hope that journalists and media houses that wish to write about me, my family or my team will do a better job in ensuring that they publish facts and not hearsay. In future, please reach out to my team for comments.
