Royal AM's top official accused of being a vulture in the latest ABC Motsepe League playoffs controversy

In the latest case that has rocked these play-offs, Kruger United, from Mpumalanga are alleged to have played a defaulter in Thabani Gumede.

Thames FC from North West alleged that Gumede was not properly registered by Kruger United.

Gumede, a midfielder, played in all four matches at these play-offs, including the semifinal.

Kruger beat Thames 1-0 on Friday to reach the final and also earn promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Gumede scored the only goal during the 1-0 win over NC Professionals in the opening game of the playoffs.

It’s alleged that Royal AM General Manager Richard Makhoba, who Thames has brought in as a witness, says he doesn’t recall issuing a clearance for Gumede. 

Kruger United Chairman Bongani Wati is disappointed by the conduct of an official from an elite division team.

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“It irritates me, to say the least, and it’s very embarrassing for Royal AM to come and do this. I mean, they are supposed to be bigger brothers, but they are colluding with Thames in this.

“The player in question (Thabani Gumede) did not even have a professional contract with Royal AM because he was playing in their DDC in the 2021/2022 season. He then left Royal AM to join Summerfield Dynamos in 2022 and was registered with them for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons.

“In the second round of the 2023/2024 season, he was then cleared by Summerfield Dynamos on 16 January 2024 to Kruger United. So, for me, I’m irritated by this because, as Kruger United, we are supposed to be celebrating our hard-fought promotion now, but we are dealing with this,” explained an angry and disappointed chairman, Bongani Wati.

SAFA, who are handling this case and in the capable hands of their former CEO and Senior Head of Legal Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe, who has dealt with many similar cases before, have promised to resolve this case by noon today.

The DC hearing was adjourned on Friday night and resumed this morning (10 am).

“I feel like the GM for Royal AM is just a vulture; I don’t know what they are trying to achieve; there’s no case here. But obviously SAFA is there, let’s see what happens,” concluded an irritated Wati.

Kruger United are scheduled to play Highbury FC from the Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, in the play-offs final on Sunday.