Royal AM up for sale Embattled KwaZulu-Natal club Royal AM have been put up for sale to help recoup some of the R40 million owner Shauwn Mkhize owes to the taxman. Photo: Independent Newspapers
Image: Independent Newspapers Archives
Mkhonto weSizwe Party MP David “Mazolman” Skhosana has described his failed bid for embattled KwaZulu-Natal club Royal AM as a “blessing in disguise”.
Skhosana was one of the bidders for the club, which was put under the hammer two weeks ago to help recoup some of the R40 million that owner, Durban businesswoman and socialite Shauwn Mkhize owes to the taxman.
Skhosana submitted an unsuccessful joint bid of R15 million with taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni, with the view of moving the club to KwaNdebele in Mpumalanga.
Despite the failed bid, Skhosana said they will continue looking for an opportunity of establishing a club in the province.
"Maybe it was a blessing in disguise for us to fail and secure the status of Royal AM, looking at the position where the club is currently sitting in the Betway Premiership. It's going to be a tall order to catch up with the rest of the games," Skhosana was quoted by KickOff on Monday evening.
"We will continue to search. We plan to have a team in KwaNdebele and uplift the community. We are desperate to have our own team here. Yes, TS Galaxy is from here, but they are playing their games in Mbombela. They might have their reasons, I cannot speak on their behalf. We plan to work around and get a PSL team for our people in KwaNdebele and play their home games at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium," he said.
The deadline to submit a bid for the club was last week, and new owners were expected to be named already, however, red tape has so far prevented this.
According to reports, foreign businessmen, including one linked with sports minister Gayton McKenzie, were also keen on the club. McKenzie has posted on social media about the possibility of moving the club back to Bloemfontein, where they were based and played as Bloemfontein Celtic before Mkhize bought their status.
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