‘What Are We Doing With Medals?’: Malinga Exposes Kruger United Non-Payment Crisis
Kruger United striker Kagiso Malinga has confirmed to Sportswire that the club has failed to pay player salaries for May, despite the squad securing automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership.
The former Golden Arrows forward also revealed that the squad has not received any promotion bonuses, noting that management completely avoided the topic during their successful Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign.
Kruger United clinched automatic promotion to the South African top flight after winning the second-tier title last term. However, the historic achievement has been completely overshadowed by severe financial strain behind the scenes.
“We always get paid late,” a frustrated Malinga exclusively told Sportswire.
“When we didn’t get paid in May, they told us the month had not yet passed. When we asked them again, they claimed the club was busy trying to find funds to pay us. They are not giving us anything concrete about when we will get our money. We aren’t even asking for bonus money; we are asking for our salaries only.”
“As it is 16 June, we have still not received our May salary. The club is failing us.”
Malinga, who joined the Mpumalanga-based outfit after his release by Lamontville Golden Arrows at the end of the 2024/25 season, stated that repeated attempts to get answers from team manager Elasto Kapowedza have been completely ignored.
“The club used to pay us on the eighth of every month. We called Kapowedza to ask if that was still the plan, but he ignores our messages. They are busy preparing for next season in the top flight. We have gold medals for winning promotion, but we have no money.”
On Monday, Kruger United issued a public statement denying widespread reports that the club’s top-flight status is up for sale. The club also denied rumors that Malinga is among a group of players set to be released ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
However, Malinga countered by revealing he has already demanded his immediate clearance to leave the club, though the salary logjam remains unresolved.
“I asked for my clearance because I can see how things are run here,” Malinga continued. “I told them they must specify in writing exactly when they will pay my salary. Elasto told me I will only get my clearance on 30 June. They are happy to honor the contract end-date, but they won’t tell me when I’m getting paid.”
“All management asked for was promotion, and we gave them that. They can take the bonus money. The club is promoted, which is a great thing for the Mpumalanga province, but right now we just have medals. What are you supposed to do with a medal?”
“You can’t even celebrate. At home, they say ‘congratulations on winning promotion,’ but you can’t even walk through the door with a plastic bag of groceries at the end of the month. You can’t do anything.”
When contacted by Sportswire to respond to Malinga’s heavy allegations, Kruger United team manager Elasto Kapowedza briefly stated: “I’m currently at a football tournament. I will call you back after I am done.”
