Black Coffee to buy Royal AM FC
Grammy-winning DJ and producer Black Coffee has reportedly placed a bid to acquire Royal AM Football Club.
The club, owned by business mogul and socialite Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, was put up for auction by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to recover unpaid taxes totaling approximately R40 million.
According to Sunday World, the We Dance Again hitmaker submitted a competitive bid, although the exact amount remains undisclosed.
Bidders had until Friday, March 14, to submit their offers to SARS-appointed curator Jaco Venter.
Reports indicate that the winning bid was around R25 million, slightly exceeding the reserve price set by SARS.
However, the identity of the new owner has not yet been made public.
Among those who competed for ownership was MK Party politician and former football administrator David “Mazolman” Skosana, who confirmed that his R15 million bid was unsuccessful.
Other contenders included businessman Joe Sibanyoni, a Greek entrepreneur linked to Minister Gayton McKenzie, and an unnamed investor from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The auction, held on March 14, required bidders to submit offers within a designated time frame, along with a refundable R1 million deposit.
The sale was structured as a “going concern,” meaning the new owner would inherit all of Royal AM’s financial liabilities.
This includes a FIFA-imposed transfer ban due to a R15 million debt owed to former player Samir Nurković, as well as R600,000 in unpaid wages for defender Ricardo Nascimento.
Additionally, the new owner may face a legal challenge from the Democratic Alliance (DA), which is seeking reimbursement for a portion of the R27 million sponsorship Royal AM received from Msunduzi Municipality.
While the auction process has concluded, the club’s future remains uncertain as fans and stakeholders await confirmation of its new ownership.
