After attending the Ingwenyama Cup final in Eswatini between Royal Leopard and Moneni Pirates, rumours began swirling that former Royal AM owner Shauwn "MaMKhize" Mkhize planned to purchase the foreign club.
However, the club's chairman, Thulani Xaba, speaking exclusively to Soccer Laduma, has strongly dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the community-owned club is not for sale.
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Speaking from his base in Manzini, Xaba clarified the team's stance and addressed the speculation.
"Firstly let me clarify that MaMKhize was not in Eswatini because of Moneni Pirates. I would like to believe that she came here on her own accord and happened to have bought Pirates' regalia but it had nothing to do with the team," Xaba told the Siya crew.
Xaba reiterated that Moneni Pirates is rooted in the Moneni community and how this would affect any financial interest.
"Secondly Pirates is not for sale. It's a community team that was started by Mr Mathenjwa and it belongs to the community of Moneni. Even when I became the chairman I had to go and talk to them that now I am taking over the running of the team on behalf of the Moneni community. So, you see, we can not sell such a team or give shares to anyone."
The chairman further noted that while MaMKhize's presence sparked rumours, other notable South African football figures, including Jomo Sono and Floyd Mbele, also attended the final.
"And mind you, she was not the only football person who was here. Jomo Sono was here. Floyd Mbele was here. But in this case Pirates is not for sale," Xaba confirmed to Soccer Laduma.
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Xaba also made it clear that even if the club was hypothetically for sale, partnering with MaMKhize at this time would not be a viable option.
"You are there in South Africa. You know her story and her team Royal AM and SARS. Even if we would say hypothetically the team is for sale or we want to work with someone it would not be her. Above all that, Moneni Pirates is not for sale," Xaba concluded.
Royal AM have faced significant challenges recently, including being placed under curatorship due to unpaid taxes owed to SARS. Consequently, the PSL is expected to remove Royal AM from the league for the rest of the 2024/25 season.
