After ending a multimillion-dollar partnership with Botswana’s Township Rollers, Sebata Consolidated Holdings has clarified the salary situation for the remainder of the season.
On Monday, businessman Tendani Ernie Sebata announced that he had cancelled a multi-million partnership deal with Botswana’s Township Rollers FC, citing significant governance issues, regulatory non-compliance, and allegations of misrepresentation regarding the club’s ownership structure.
The club is home to former Orlando Pirates winger Thabo Rakhale. Sebata, through his South Africa-headquartered company, Sebata Consolidated Holdings [PTY] LTD, entered a five-year deal with Popa in June 2024, making an initial investment of R9.5 million to cushion Popa’s daily operations.
However, a year into the deal, Sebata has withdrawn, with the club’s ownership structure in dispute. The 16-time Botswana league champions, Rollers, have faced financial challenges in the last few years, and the Sebata partnership had stabilised the club’s finances.
WILL SEBATA HOLDINGS CONTINUE PAYING SALARIES UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON?
The 2024/25 Botswana season ends at the end of May. Rollers, currently sixth in the Botswana Premier League table, have four games left. They play their last game on May 24, a Gabz Derby against Gaborone United.
After the exit announcement, concerns arose regarding whether the South Africa-based company would continue paying salaries for the rest of the season. Speaking to the media, company spokesperson Nqobile Ndlovu addressed the matter.
“The salaries [for players and staff] as well as other associated costs will be covered by Sebata until the end of the season,” he said.
The Johannesburg-headquartered company reportedly inherited signing-on fees of US$ 700,000 from the previous partners.
Indications are that the highly publicised agreement fell apart after Sebata uncovered that the club’s leadership had neglected to reveal important information regarding its ownership and failed to secure the required approvals from the Botswana Football League [BFL] and Botswana Football Association [BFA] as mandated by the league regulations.
In the last 10 months, Sebata said they had invested over R30 million in the club’s operations to enhance long-term competitiveness and ensure financial sustainability.
Significant investments included acquiring a luxury coach for the senior team and a minibus for the women’s team. Sebata also ensured that the Rollers Ladies team became one of the few in the league to offer stipends.
Rollers currently has a roster of 49 players, all of whom are on the company’s payroll. Additionally, the sponsorship covered various monthly operational expenses, including fuel, vehicles, kits, player accommodation, training field costs, media equipment and office furniture.
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