Shauwn Mkhize fights to save Royal AM from being sold due to outstanding tax debts and a legal battle with SARS and the PSL.

The future of Royal AM Football Club hangs in the balance as its controversial and flamboyant owner, Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, faces a series of overwhelming challenges that threaten the very existence of the club she worked tirelessly to build.

With outstanding tax debts owed to SARS (South African Revenue Service) and the club under curatorship, the possibility of losing the club is becoming increasingly likely, though Mkhize is showing no signs of surrendering without a fight.

The battle is not just about football—it’s about her legacy, business acumen, and the empire she’s created.

Royal AM’s turbulent journey in South African football began when Mkhize acquired the First Division franchise of Real Kings FC, renaming it Royal AM and setting her sights on top-tier football.

The club initially faced difficulties in securing promotion to the Premiership, a setback that led Mkhize and her team to pursue multiple legal avenues, but they found little success in their efforts.

Despite these hurdles, Mkhize’s resilience shone through when she acquired Bloemfontein Celtic’s franchise in a strategic move that not only secured Royal AM’s place in the Premiership but also made her a key player in South African football’s upper echelons.

However, the journey to success has been fraught with controversies and legal issues. After gaining promotion, the club faced opposition on multiple fronts.

In late 2024, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) expelled Royal AM’s reserve team from the Diski League, a significant blow to the club’s development pipeline.

Following this, all matches involving Royal AM were suspended, and the club was hit with a FIFA ban preventing them from registering new players.

These setbacks were compounded by the discovery of significant tax debts that led to the club being placed under curatorship by SARS, who are now preparing to recover these debts through the sale of the club.

For Mkhize, losing Royal AM is more than just a financial blow—it would be the culmination of years of effort to create a powerhouse in South African football. Despite the mounting odds, she has proven time and again that she is not one to back down.

She has taken the PSL, SARS, and the appointed curator to court, challenging the legality of their actions, though her efforts have yet to yield a favorable outcome.

While the situation looks dire, Mkhize remains undeterred, and there may still be hope for a miracle, as unlikely as it seems.

Her legal battles have garnered attention, and the potential for a landmark decision could be on the horizon, particularly as the sports world has witnessed unexpected outcomes in legal cases before.

One notable example is the recent case of Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner, who, despite winning two Grand Slam titles, received only a three-month ban for a doping offense.

This lenient sanction sparked widespread outrage, and the doping agency is now reconsidering the case.

This precedent might offer Mkhize some hope, as she explores whether there are any legal grounds to challenge the actions of the PSL, SARS, and the curator in her case.

Mkhize’s legal battle could change the landscape of South African football, much like the famous Coetzee case did in the past.

If she is successful, it could set a new precedent for the rights of football club owners and the way the PSL and other governing bodies handle disputes with club owners.

Her challenge has already brought attention to the power dynamics within the league and the control of football clubs, and Mkhize is positioning herself as a fighter for fairness and transparency in South African football.

For fans of Royal AM and South African football, the drama surrounding the club is far from over. The club’s struggle for survival has become a symbol of the unpredictable nature of football, where success can turn to turmoil in a matter of months.

For Mkhize, the outcome of this legal battle will determine not only her future in football but also the legacy she leaves behind.

Her fight to retain ownership of Royal AM is about more than just saving a club—it’s about proving that she can navigate the toughest of battles and emerge victorious.

With the club’s future hanging by a thread, all eyes are on the courts and what will come of Mkhize’s appeal.

Will she manage to pull off a miracle and secure her place as one of the most resilient figures in South African football, or will this be the end of an era for Royal AM?

The next chapter in this dramatic saga is about to unfold, and it promises to be anything but predictable.

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