Embattled Royal AM president and businesswoman Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize has exposed the salaries of her club’s players in a bid to punch holes in the argument the Premier Soccer League (PSL) advanced to expel her team from the league.
Mkhize has applied for an urgent court order in the Joburg High Court to declare unlawful and set aside the PSL’s decision to expel her from the lucrative tier.
One of the reasons cited by the PSL for the dismissal of Mkhize’s team was that the club failed to honour its fixtures, insinuating that it failed to do so due to self-inflicted financial constraints.
Mkhize rubbished this claim, saying that despite the PSL’s illegitimate suspension of the R2.3-million grant to the team, which was enough to pay the salaries of the players and other operational costs, she still could afford to pick up the tab for the salary bill.
To prove this, Mkhize attached proof of payment of salaries she wired into the players’ various bank accounts, even after the club was attached by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
According to the proof of payments, with the word “salary” reflecting as a reference on each and every transaction, defender Thabo Matlaba was the highest-paid player on the team with a take-home of R121 000, while a player known as Mnguni S was the lowest paid with a net pay of a paltry R2 000.
Midfielder Kabelo Mahlasela was the second-highest-paid player, with a net pay of R93 500, followed by midfielder Shadrack Kobedi, with a take-home of R80 000 per month.
The club’s other midfielder, Jabulani Ncobeni, was the fourth-highest paid, with a net pay of over R68 000.
He is followed by left winger Khetukuthula Ndlovu with a net pay of more than R59 900, while midfielder Levy Mashiane and centre-back Lesego Manganyi take home R55 000 and R50 000, respectively.
Those taking home below R50 000 include striker Matebang Sera with a take-home of R48 400, while goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto took home R47 852.
Striker Mfundo Langa Thikazi took home R40 000, midfielder Mzandile Dlamini R40 000 and Luyanda Mdunge R40 000.
Centre back Mlungisi Sikhakakhane took home R30 000, midfielder Khulekhani Shezi took home over R28 500, and centre back Ayanda Jiyane took home over R21 000.
According to the proof of payments, Mnguni is not the only player who is paid peanuts. Three other players were paid chicken feed.
They are goalkeeper Aphile Ngobese with R7 916, Philani Khumalo with R16 000, attacking midfielder Xolani Phewa with R16 000 and defender Sphelele Majola with R9 500.
Attacking midfielder Xolani Vezi took home over R12 500, while attacking midfielder Philani Sithebe was paid over R10 300, Sbanga Zulu over R6 900, and midfielder Smiso Gumede R4 950.
All these players were paid on February 14 this year.
Mkhize asked the court to hear the case on May 20, just before the league season came to an end.
SARS attached the team after she failed to settle a tax bill of over R200-million and appointed Jaco Venter as curator.
Mkhize said Venter’s appointment destabilised the day-to-day running of the team.
