Royal AM’s attempt to interdict a crucial PSL meeting intended to determine their fate has failed, as their application was dismissed with punitive costs.
The PSL board of governors was scheduled to meet on Thursday morning; however, the virtual meeting was halted due to the court application.
Last week, the board of governors voted unanimously to expel Royal AM from the league. As stated in the NSL Handbook, a member can be expelled for failing to fulfil their obligations.
The Shauwn Mkhize-owned club has not played a match since December due to being placed under curatorship because of the businesswoman’s tax issues. The South African Revenue Service [SARS] is attempting to recover a tax debt of approximately R40 million from Mkhize.
Efforts to sell the Betway Premiership side were unsuccessful, prompting the PSL executive to pursue expulsion instead. The meeting on Thursday aimed to finalise Royal AM’s expulsion from the league. However, it was adjourned pending the decision of the Gauteng High Court regarding the urgent proceedings initiated by Royal AM on Wednesday night, which sought to interdict the meeting.
WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME OF ROYAL AM’S COURT APPLICATION?
Gauteng High Court Judge Mnhqibisa-Thusi dismissed the interdict application on Thursday morning and issued a punitive costs order against Royal AM. This ruling allows the previously adjourned meeting to proceed.
Reports indicate that the meeting could not continue on Thursday as the verdict was received late, preventing it from being reconvened. The PSL is expected to reschedule the meeting for a date later this month, as the league is eager to finalise the matter and close this chapter.
Meanwhile, dismissal with punitive costs means that the court not only requires Mkhize to cover her own legal expenses. But she also pays an amount that surpasses the standard legal costs incurred by the PSL.
Such a penalty is typically reserved for situations where the losing party’s behaviour was unreasonable or even abusive towards the court process.
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