The storm clouds continue to gather over Shauwn Mkhize and her embattled football clu, as the Pretoria High Court delivered another damning verdict on Tuesday. The ruling rejected Royal AM’s urgent bid to overturn the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) decision to terminate its membership, highlighting a pattern of misrepresentation and administrative failures that have plagued the club.
Another Legal Blow for Royal AM
The latest court ruling paints a grim picture of the club dealings with the National Soccer League (NSL), suggesting that the club repeatedly misled the governing body. According to the court, the PSL had sufficient grounds to expel Royal AM even before it was placed under administration—a move that followed serious financial and structural issues.
At the center of the court proceedings was the club’s attempt to block its expulsion from the PSL. However, this challenge was firmly dismissed, and the court laid out a series of violations that justified the league’s decision.
Key Violations Cited by the Court
The judgment identified several breaches of NSL regulations, including:
- Article 14.6 Violation: Royal AM altered its shareholding and directorship in June 2023 without obtaining written approval from the PSL.
- Article 10.14 Violation: The club misrepresented the makeup of its directorship in its membership renewal documents submitted in July 2024.
- Article 10.16 Violation: Royal AM failed to meet its obligations to the league, including missing scheduled matches and defaulting on financial commitments.
These infractions occurred before the club was placed under curatorship by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) due to Mkhize’s tax-related issues. This intervention led to the freezing of the club’s bank accounts and an operational collapse, including its inability to fulfil PSL fixtures. Consequently, the NSL’s Board of Governors expelled Royal AM during the 2024/2025 season.
Ownership Confusion and Shareholder Shifts
The judgment also unraveled a confusing trail of ownership and governance. When Royal AM took over Bloemfontein Celtic’s PSL status, it was reported to be under the name of Mkhize’s close relative, Nosipho Ngubo, as Mkhize was entangled in another dispute with the league.
By mid-2023, further changes took place, with multiple new shareholders acquiring stakes in the club. Shauwn Mkhize and her son, Andile Mpisane, reportedly resigned from their roles and appointed Shamish Sadab as the sole director—a move not disclosed to the PSL at the time.
Sponsorship Collapse Deepens Financial Woes
Royal AM’s financial troubles were compounded last week when the Msunduzi Municipality withdrew its R27 million sponsorship. The deal was contingent upon the club remaining in the PSL, a condition no longer met after its expulsion.
Royal AM’s legal battles and off-field chaos signal a deeper crisis, as the club continues to challenge the PSL’s actions while its own governance and finances crumble. With multiple legal setbacks, a collapsed sponsorship deal, and no league fixtures to play, the future of the once-ambitious club remains highly uncertain.
Related articled: Inside Royal AM: Players Salaries Made Public as Club Faces Uncertainty
