Bizarre ticket sales, security crisis forces Royal AM & Pirates match cancellation
The Betway Premiership tie between Royal AM and Orlando Pirates has been cancelled amidst a bizarre series of events, including unconventional ticket sales through a hair salon and a critical security crisis.
In an email sent to PSL CEO Mato Madlala, the South African Police Service [SAPS] Unit Commander from Pietermaritzburg, Colonel M.E. Majola, raised serious safety and security concerns surrounding the league clash fixture that was set to be staged at Harry Gwala Stadium on Thursday.
The most glaring issue was Royal AM’s unorthodox ticket sales strategy. Instead of utilising the established Ticketpro platform, the club wanted to sell a staggering 5,000 tickets through their hair salon.
Adding fuel to the fire was the club’s current financial predicament. Under curatorship by the South African Revenue Service [SARS] due to a tax debt owed by president Shauwn Mkhize, Royal AM struggled to secure the services of crucial match-day personnel. Security companies, medical services, and even the speed fencing suppliers demanded upfront payment, casting doubt on their presence at the stadium.
Perhaps the most concerning development was the strike by Royal AM’s in-house security team. Unpaid salaries left them unwilling to perform their duties, further jeopardizing the safety of players, officials, and spectators.
THE REAL REASONS BEHIND ROYAL AM’S CANCELLED MATCH AGAINST ORLANDO PIRATES
Faced with this perfect storm of financial woes, logistical nightmares, and potential security breaches, Colonel Majola made the difficult decision to request the PSL’s urgent intervention. With the safety and security of the match demonstrably compromised, the League had no choice but to postpone the fixture.
In the email dated January 21, the appointed Authorised Member for the match between Royal AM and Pirates, Colonel Majola, outlined safety and security concerns.
“Royal AM have made a consignment of 5000 tickets available for sale. These tickets will be sold privately through their Hair Salon and not through Ticketpro.
“It must be borne in mind that Royal AM are currently under the curatorship of the South African Revenue Service [SARS] to recoup a tax debt owed by the club’s president, Ms Shauwn Mkhize.”
ROYAL AM IN CRISIS: SERVICE PROVIDERS DEMAND CASH, SECURITY ON STRIKE
“Various services have expressed concern as to whether they will be paid for their services and are now indicating that they will only render their services if paid upfront.
“These service providers include: Private security [who require payment in cash immediately after the match]. St John’s medical services. Ticketpro [they have submitted their invoice and are awaiting payment to confirm whether they will be on-site, together with their scanners]. Speed fencing suppliers [they have also submitted their invoice and are awaiting payment]. Royal AM [In-House security] are also currently on strike, regarding unpaid salaries by Royal AM management. They have indicated that they are willing to perform their duties if unpaid salaries are paid.
“It is clear that Royal AM will not be able to pay these service providers prior to the match, as they are under curatorship. It needs to be stated that without these service providers, there is a serious risk to the management of a safe and secure soccer match.
“This writer hereby requests the urgent intervention of the PSL, as presently the safety and security of the match cannot be guaranteed if the said service providers withhold their critically required services.”
The PSL have since responded on Wednesday and cancelled the game, including the upcoming Royal AM, until further notice. Thwihli Thwahla failed to provide the necessary guarantees to the PSL to fulfil their match commitments in “a compliant fashion”.
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