George Maluleka lifts lid on dispute with PSL side over unpaid wages

George Maluleka. Picture courtesy of Kaizer Chiefs/X

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns star George Maluleka has opened up on his dispute with PSL side Kruger United over unpaid wages.

Maluleka recently retired from football after parting ways with Kruger in the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the end of last season, bringing a close to a successful career.

The talented midfielder spent the previous campaign in the NFD, helping the Mpumalanga-based team push for promotion to the Betway Premiership—a goal they missed on the final day of the season.

In his successful career, the Tembisa-born midfielder played for Ajax Cape Town, SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, and AmaZulu FC before turning out for Kruger United.

Maluleka has had a sour end to his stint with Kruger United due to unpaid salaries, which have forced him to take legal action through the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber [DRC] and the South African Football Players Union [SAFPU].

WHAT MALULEKA SAID ABOUT THE DISPUTE WITH KRUGER UNITED

The 36-year-old has told FARPost that he is taking it upon himself to fight for the rights of footballers in the PSL, as salary issues are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in the second division.

George Maluleka. Picture courtesy of Mamelodi Sundowns/X

“It’s true [having a dispute with Kruger United]. As part of SAFPU and representing the players in the league, I also need to stand up for them,” Maluleka said.

“Some of these boys don’t want to speak up when the teams owe them money, or they need to get paid. So I took it upon myself to raise these issues; it’s been happening in our country and in the NFD as well.

“The guys down there don’t earn as much, and you can imagine if a boy goes a month or two without getting paid, what happens. I’m saying boys because these are younger guys in the NFD.

“I also started there as a teenager, now I finished my career in that league, and this problem is still there, and it’s becoming more and more popular. And I just want more players to speak up so that SAFPU can handle whatever that is there with the clubs and representatives.”