No MTN8 reprieve for Kaizer Chiefs as PSL DC ONLY fines Marumo Gallants R200,000 for ineligible registration of Monde Mpambaniso

A shocking decision that would have earned Kaizer Chiefs a place in the MTN8 has been evaded after the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee just fined Marumo Gallants over the improper registration of Monde Mpambaniso.

Cape Town City had launched a complaint against Gallants for the registration of Mpambaniso, in which case Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have been found guilty and fined R200,000.

The latest update was delivered by the PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu on Thursday.

“I can confirm that a short while ago, the PSL DC just finalised a disciplinary matter in which I had preferred charges of misconduct against Marumo Gallants Football Club as well as its player, Mr. Monde Mpambaniso,” Majavu stated in his latest update.

“This case stemmed from the registration of Mr. Mpambaniso, which was procured by Marumo Gallants without the required clearance certificate in accordance with the rules of the league. Mindful of the circumstances, the context, and the background against which this player was registered, Marumo Gallants pleaded guilty, and as a result, they were subsequently convicted as such," he added.

“Coming to the issue of sanction, having listened to the evidence in aggravation as well as the evidence in mitigation and the prevailing contextual background pertaining to this matter, which I must hasten to add was subjected to a variety of disciplinary proceedings, served before various appeal tribunals, including a recent arbitration that resulted in a directive by the arbitrator that they be charged."

The player has, however, been absolved of any wrongdoing.

“The PSL DC ruled as follows: that Marumo Gallants be fined an amount of 200,000 rand, half of which is immediately payable, and the other half suspended for 24 months, on condition that during the period of suspension they are not found guilty of the same offence again.

"Should they reoffend, that suspended portion would be triggered immediately, and they will be further sanctioned for that subsequent misdemeanour. They were further directed to carry the costs of the DC hearing up until the matter was finalised, which costs would be completed administratively and then forwarded to Marum Gallants to pay.

“With regard to the player. The player was found not guilty, and as a result, no sanction was meted out to him. This is the end of this matter for now, unless a party that is aggrieved by this outcome exercises its right to appeal, in which case we will deal with that matter when it arises.”

Should Gallants have suffered a points deduction, the ruling would have had a boomerang effect on PSL standings for the 2024/25 season.

Points deduction would have seen Gallants drop below the Citizens on the table, and that would have meant Bahlabane Ba Ntwa would be relegated, and Cape Town City would survive, as they would be placed 14th in the standings.

The effect would not have ended there; Chiefs would have been propelled into the eighth position, technically making them eligible to play in the MTN8. Amakhosi finished last season's campaign in the ninth position.

However, such a situation has been evaded, as the PSL DC only decided to force the culprits - Marumo Gallants - to atone for their sins by paying a fine.

The PSL DC decision means that the MTN8 campaign will go on as planned, kicking off on Saturday and extending to Sunday.

For Gallants, their focus should be on the 2025/26 season as Cape Town City plans life in the lower division.