Tim Sukazi, the owner of Premier Soccer League outfit TS Galaxy, has been accused of not paying the January salaries of some of his players, and technical and supporting staff.
This comes after Sukazi took the first team and some members of his family to Turkey in December last year where Galaxy played friendly matches against Italian club Sampdoria, Al Batin of Saudi Arabia and Giresunspor of Turkey. The trip caused unhappiness among Galaxy players and staff as they “were compelled” to sacrifice at least 10% of their November salary for the club to afford their 18-day stay overseas.
The only Galaxy employees paid their full January salaries are said to be coach Sead Ramovic and his assistants Adnan Beganovic and Mustafa Kodro and the players who featured in the club’s 4-0 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows last Sunday.
The situation comes as Galaxy host Kaizer Chiefs at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga today in a DStv Premiership match that Sukazi’s team need to win in order to avoid being dragged further into the relegation zone.
“Last season around the same time the same thing (unpaid salaries) happened. The supporting staff were not paid for two months,” a source within Galaxy told the Sunday Times yesterday.
Salaries at Galaxy are normally paid on the 28th or 29th of every month, but those who didn’t receive them in January, who include players Vuyo Mere, Mike Sebelebele, Nkosikhona Radebe, Lebone Seema and Masilake Phohlongo, were left with nothing to pay for their expenses.
“He (Sukazi) has not even bothered to explain the situation, everyone is in the dark. Sukazi opted against addressing his staff because he is afraid that this might get to the media. This has left the workers in the dark,” added the source.
“This time around the technical team, which includes goalkeeper coach Greg Itafia, assistant coach Phuphu Mohlaba, physical trainer Lehlohonolo Tekane, video analyst Ncwadi Saki, masseur Phumzile Mathebula and team manager Njabulo Sukazi, as well as supporting staff that include media and marketing, have not been paid.”
Contacted for comment Sukazi, who bought the status of Highlands Park in August 2017 for his club to compete in the elite league, refused to comment on why he has not paid the salaries. “Tell Minenhle (Mkhize, the club’s media officer) to tell you a better story,” was his response.
“If you don’t write it like that I will deal with your (Sunday Times) seniors. That’s my quote.”
The saga of salaries has left the staff puzzled because it happened in a week when their boss announced that Galaxy have acquired the status of Vasco da Gama in order for their women’s side to compete in Safa’s Super League.
Some of the players for the women’s team, paraded by Galaxy this week, include former Banyana Banyana stars Mpumi Nyandeni and Nothando Vilakazi.
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