Mamkhize’s financial troubles with the South African Revenue Service has led to the sale of her football club “Royal AM Football Club”.
The decision to sell the football club was not made by Shawn Mkhize herself, this was decided by a court on Monday 17 January 2025 in Pietermaritzburg. This ruling came after a brief court battle between Shawn Mkhize and the South African Revenue Service.
The court’s ruling to sell Royal AM FC was reached so that the proceeds from the sale of the football club can be used to help settle Shawn Mkhize’s staggering R40 million debt to the South African Revenue Service.
A source close to the situation revealed that Mamkhize tried everything she could to avoid liquidation and the sale of the football club but the court’s ruling is irrevocable. It has also been reported that Royal AM players have not been well paid since last year December because Mamkhize’s accounts were also frozen by the South African Revenue Service.
Several clubs within the Premier Soccer League have called for Roya AM Football Club to be expelled from the league claiming that the club is causing reputational harm to the Premier Soccer League.
The history of Royal AM Football Club:
Royal AM Football Club, commonly known as “Thwihli Thwahla,” is a South African football team based in Pietermaritzburg. The club was established in 2020 by businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize and her son, Andile Mpisane, who serves as the youngest chairman in Premier Soccer League (PSL) history. They acquired the club’s top-flight status by purchasing the Premiership license from Bloemfontein Celtic in August 2021.
In its inaugural PSL season (2021–22), Royal AM achieved a commendable third-place finish, securing qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup. However, the club has recently faced significant challenges. In January 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) issued a preservation order against Royal AM due to unpaid tax debts amounting to approximately R40 million by owner Shauwn Mkhize. This financial strain led to the non-payment of players’ December 2024 salaries and the subsequent postponement of fixtures by the PSL.
Additionally, in July 2023, FIFA imposed a transfer ban on Royal AM following the unlawful termination of striker Samir Nurković’s contract and the club’s failure to settle the outstanding amount of R12 million owed to him.
The Public’s Reactions:
They are persecuting her for not supporting the ANC national team but siding with zweli mkhize and them all. She is paying a political price. This style was introduced by pravin to use SARS to punish people
— God Has (@fulungwana) February 17, 2025
I feel no sympathy they destroyed Bloemfontein Celtics
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) February 17, 2025
The cosmics putting things back to default settings
— LordPiccolo (@LordPiccoloSA) February 17, 2025
Phakama Siwelele ke nako pic.twitter.com/Ien87V10ED
What do you mean it's a sad day for our football ?
— African Elixir (@AfricanElixir) February 17, 2025
This is a great day for our football that ought to be celebrated, Royal AM will be under new management which will save us from this nonsense.pic.twitter.com/LWc8mupEhA
Please share your thoughts on this story using the comments box below. Remember to keep your comments clean and within our community guidelines.