MK Party MP David Skosana’s Bid for Royal AM Fails
- Skosana, along with entrepreneur Joe Sibanyoni, submitted a R15 million bid but lost to a higher offer, reportedly around R25 million
- The consortium aimed to move the club to KwaNdebele while retaining players and staff, but their bid was unsuccessful
- The club’s new owner, yet to be announced, will inherit debts including a R15 million FIFA dispute with former player Samir Nurković and unpaid wages to Ricardo Nascimento
A consortium led by Member of Parliament and former football administrator David "Mazolman" Skosana has failed in its attempt to acquire Royal AM Football Club.
The club, owned by businesswoman and socialite Shauwn "MaMkhize" Mkhize, was auctioned by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to recover outstanding tax debts amounting to approximately R40 million.
Source: Facebook
Plans to Relocate the Club to Mpumalanga
Skosana, alongside entrepreneur Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni, had submitted a R15 million bid for the struggling club.
PAY ATTENTION: Briefly News is now on YouTube! Check out our interviews on Briefly TV Life now!
Their vision included relocating Royal AM to KwaNdebele in Mpumalanga for the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season.
They also planned to retain the club’s players and staff while focusing on professionalism and sound corporate governance.
Financial Hurdles and Auction Details
The auction, which took place on March 14, 2025, required bidders to submit offers between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, along with a refundable deposit of R1 million.
The sale was structured as a "going concern," meaning the new owner would assume all of Royal AM’s existing financial obligations.
These included a FIFA-imposed transfer ban due to a R15 million debt owed to former player Samir Nurković, as well as R600,000 in unpaid wages to defender Ricardo Nascimento.
Challenges Ahead for Royal AM new owner
The acquisition of Royal AM comes with significant challenges, which includes:
Massive Debt: The new owner will inherit the club’s financial problems, including unpaid taxes and outstanding player salaries.
Suspended Operations: The club has missed several PSL fixtures, and restoring its operational status will require strategic interventions.
FIFA Transfer Ban: Royal AM is currently unable to sign new players until its outstanding debt is cleared.
Who Won the Auction?
Despite Skosana and his team’s efforts, their R15 million bid was unsuccessful.
Reports suggest that the winning bid was around R25 million, though the identity of the new owner has not yet been revealed.
Who is David 'Mazolman' Skosana?
David "Mazolman" Skosana is a Member of Parliament for the MK Party and a renowned businessman in South Africa with interests in various sectors, including real estate and finance. Skosana is an influential political figure and entrepreneur who is also passionate about sports development.
His nickname "Mazolman" reportedly stemmed from his energetic and dynamic approach to politics and business. He has been a vocal advocate for youth empowerment and sports development in South Africa and has supported grassroots football initiatives in the past.
What’s Next for Skosana?
Following the failed bid, Skosana remains optimistic about future opportunities in South African football.
"We will keep on looking," he said.
Background of the Auction
The auction of Royal AM was organized by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to recover the club's outstanding tax debt of approximately R40 million.
This sale attracted significant interest, with several bidders hoping to take control of the struggling club.
The MK Party Member's Bid
David "Mazolman" Skosana, a member of the MK Party and former football administrator, led a consortium that offered R15 million.
Their plan included relocating the club and ensuring the players and staff remained part of the team.
However, their bid fell short of the winning amount, which reportedly exceeded R25 million.
Next Steps for Royal AM
The identity of the winning bidder remains under wraps, but the future of Royal AM now rests in the hands of the new owner.
As the team moves forward, questions surrounding the club’s finances and future plans remain unanswered.
Royal AM Faces Financial Crisis
Briefly News previously reported that Royal AM is facing significant financial struggles, with ongoing tax issues, unpaid salaries, and asset seizures.
The club's financial troubles are rooted in a tax debt of nearly R40 million, which led to asset seizures by SARS and delays in paying players’ salaries.
Nomso Obiajuru was a contributing writer in this article
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Proofreading by Jimmy Modise, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
Ncube Harrison (Sports Editor) Harrison Ncube is a passionate sports journalist with six years of experience covering African and global sports. Harrison provides sharp analysis, engaging commentary, and compelling storytelling. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from the Zimbabwe Open University and previously worked at Sports Buzz (2018–2022), freelanced for Sports Journal (2023–2024), and contributed to Radio 54 African Panorama Live (2021–2023). For inquiries, reach him at ncube.harrison@briefly.co.za
Jimmy Modise (Sports Editor) Jimmy is an experienced copy editor who has for just under two years as junior copy editor at Sports Brief and is still engaged in the same profession now for Legit Media and other projects. He has a Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies, has worked briefly as radio producer, intern sportswriter and copywriter in his storied journey.
