Shauwn Mkhize fails in legal bid to force Sars to provide Comfort Letter to PSL so Royal AM can resume fixtures: NSL to give expulsion verdict later this week

The North Gauteng High Court has turned down businesswoman Shaun Mkhize's legal attempt to compel the South African Revenue Service (Sars) to issue a Comfort Letter to the PSL so that Royal AM can continue their fixtures.

MamKhize, as the controversial businesswoman is affectionately known, has been going through a legal process since November of last year after allegedly owing Sars nearly R40 million in tax debt. 

This unfortunate predicament has led her team, Royal AM, to be unable to fulfil their PSL fixtures. The last time they played was in their league match against TS Galaxy on December 29, 2024.

Mkhize reportedly filed an urgent application in court in an attempt to ensure that Royal AM can resume their fixtures, however, the Gauteng High Court has now denied her appeal.

With the required guarantees not forthcoming, the PSL are now exploring the option of expelling the club from the league.

"It boggles the mind that taxpayers will turn to courts with ease yet derelict in their responsibility to meet their obligations with similar enthusiasm," Sars commissioner Edward Kieswetter said in welcoming the court's ruling per MNS.

"SARS is enjoined by the law to administer the law without fear or favour and to ensure that all taxpayers who are expected to register, file, and pay their taxes do it with ease.

"The application also sought to review the curator’s decision not to issue the letter of comfort as irrational, unreasonable, and unlawful," Kieswetter added.

"In the alternative, the club requested the court to compel the NSL to allow the club to play the remainder of the football season’s league and Nedbank Cup games."

According to SABC Sport the failure of the urgent interdict could be the final straw for the league's governing body.

They are reporting that the league's Executive Committee are now exploring enforcing rule 57.13 later this week, which allows the PSL's National Executive Committee to impose sanctions that lead to suspension, expulsion, and the relegation of a club.

Thwihli Thwahla currently sits at the bottom of the league standings with only eight points after playing 11 games. So far, they have managed to secure one win, five draws, and five losses, with all fixtures since December 29 having been postponed.

According to the court's decision, Royal AM remains barred from participating in the PSL.

The ball is now in the league governing body's hands as they seek a solution to the embarrassing dilemma and face the possibility of completing their first season under new sponsors Betway, as a 15 team league.

Apparently a decision on the club's future will be announced before the end of the week.