Leruma United’s fairytale entry into the PSL is marred by allegations of shockingly low player salaries, with some reportedly earning as little as R1 000 a month.
This revelation follows last month’s partial payments, where some players received only half their contracted salaries, ranging between R2 000 and R3 000. City Press has learned that several players are on contracts stipulating salaries between R5 000 and R6 000, a stark contrast to their actual earnings.
The financial struggles at the Motsepe Foundation Championship club are impacting players significantly. Sources indicate that many players, largely from amateur ranks outside Gauteng, are struggling to meet basic living expenses.
“These players must still pay rent and buy food to last them a month and put some money aside for taxi fare,” a source revealed.
Many rely on public transport, often using taxis or lifts to reach training at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.
The source added, “They were told that they would appear on TV sometimes and could end up being bought by Premiership clubs. They are afraid to speak up [about how they are being treated]. They just got an opportunity at a PSL club.”
Tebogo Monyai, acting president of the SA Football Players Union (SAFPU), confirmed receiving “rumours” of players receiving as little as R1 000. He disclosed that he has already met with club owner Leruma Thobejane two weeks prior, following approaches from aggrieved players seeking assistance.
“I was clear in my meeting with Mr Thobejane that if this is true, it is unacceptable because it is even below the national minimum wage of R4 500. I told the chairperson that it is going to cause a big problem for the club and the football fraternity,” Monyai stated.
Attempts to contact Thobejane for comment proved unsuccessful, with calls and messages going unanswered. This follows a previous City Press report last Sunday detailing the club’s failure to pay players in full. Several sources corroborated this, claiming approximately half the squad received only half their salaries last month due to the club’s financial difficulties.
One player, speaking anonymously, confirmed receiving only half their salary, highlighting the severity of the situation. The club’s financial constraints were further evident in their recent trip to Thohoyandou for a match against Black Leopards, where the team lacked even basic refreshments on the bus journey, resulting in a 2-0 defeat.
Meanwhile, five players whose contracts were terminated last month, allegedly as part of cost-cutting measures, have sought assistance from the Football Union of SA (Fusa). Calvin Motloung, Fusa’s secretary-general, confirmed that the union has filed a complaint with the PSL’s dispute resolution chamber, with the highest salary among the dismissed players being R6 000. They await a response from Thobejane.
Thobejane previously denied allegations of unpaid salaries last Sunday. This controversy comes as Leruma, despite their recent entry into the PSL, suffered a 3-0 defeat to Milford FC yesterday at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
Their presence in the professional ranks is unconventional, as they didn't achieve promotion through the traditional route. Leruma United, having played in the Gauteng stream of the ABC Motsepe League last season, secured their PSL status in July after purchasing the NFD status of Marumo Gallants for a reported R12 million. This status became available after Gallants owner Sello Abram acquired the Premiership status of the defunct Moroka Swallows.
Adding an ironic twist to the situation, Thobejane, a prominent attorney, has represented several PSL clubs in legal matters, including representing Gallants in a payment dispute involving their players at the PSL’s dispute chamber in May this year – a month before Gallants' relegation and Thobejane's acquisition of their status.
