Royal AM chairperson Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize has confirmed that the club has been unable to pay players’ salaries for December due to a preservation order obtained by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

This has led to the KwaZulu-Natal club having their league match against Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium postponed, as confirmed by the Chilli Boys.

Sources within the club have revealed that players have not returned to training since the start of the year due to the outstanding salary payments.

“Royal AM Football Club wishes to address the unfortunate situation regarding the non-payment of salaries for December 2024, affecting our valued players, technical team, and staff,” the club stated in a press release. “We acknowledge the hardship this has caused and extend our heartfelt apologies to those impacted, including their families.”

In November, SARS raided MaMkhize’s home in La Lucia, Durban North, seizing luxury vehicles amid allegations of a R40 million tax debt. However, in her 2023 autobiography, “My World, My Rules,” she claimed all tax issues had been resolved.

“As many are aware, the club is currently under curatorship following a preservation order obtained by SARS,” MaMkhize added. “While this has resulted in the temporary appointment of a curator, Mr. Jaco Venter, to oversee the club’s assets and operations, we want to assure all stakeholders that Royal AM remains committed to resolving this matter as swiftly as possible.”

“The club’s management team, led by our CEO (Sinky Mnisi) and General Manager (Richard Makhoba), has been working diligently with the curator to secure the necessary permissions to release funds for salary payments. It has always been the ethos of Royal AM to prioritize the well-being of our personnel, and we remain dedicated to upholding that principle despite the current challenges.”

“We appreciate the patience and support of our players, staff, and their families during this difficult time. Additionally, we thank our fans, sponsors, and broader stakeholders for their continued trust and loyalty. Royal AM is committed to preserving the integrity of the club and ensuring its long-term success.”

“We remain optimistic that this situation will be resolved soon, and we will provide timely updates as developments unfold. Thank you for your understanding and support.”

Furthermore, the club faces a FIFA ban for failing to pay former striker Samir Nurkovic. The outstanding amount, initially R12 million, has now accumulated to R15 million with interest.

Due to the FIFA ban, the club was also excluded from participating in the DStv Diski Challenge.

It remains to be seen how Royal AM will navigate this challenging situation as the league season progresses.