Durban businessman Roy Moodley confident in Royal AM bid despite payment delay

Durban businessman Chockalingham Roy Moodley, 71, remains steadfast in his belief that his family’s bid to acquire Royal AM soccer club will be successful, despite missing the payment deadline on Thursday.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) placed the club under curatorship after seizing it from its former owner, Shauwn Mkhize, due to an alleged tax debt of R40 million. The sale of the club has since attracted several high-profile bidders, all vying for its Premier Soccer League (PSL) status.

Global Investments, represented by Mageshpren Moodley and Denise Govender, emerged as the winning bidder. However, the agreement had clear stipulations—failure to make the required payment within the designated timeframe would result in the deal being void.

Despite repeated requests from SARS-appointed curator Jaco Venter, Global Investments failed to transfer the agreed-upon funds into a trust account, raising concerns about the future of the transaction.

Roy Moodley

Moodley Rejects Claims of Payment Issues

Speaking on behalf of his son, Roy Moodley dismissed allegations that there were payment issues, stating that the delays were due to uncertainties surrounding the club’s ability to complete its remaining fixtures in the current season.

“We did not fail to pay. This statement is unacceptable. Payment was not a problem; the undertaking from the sellers was not forthcoming, especially with Royal AM’s uncertainty about completing the 19 games in the specified time period. There are lots of wrongful opinions floating around which is totally unacceptable and untrue,” Moodley stated.

Moodley’s comments suggest that the buyers were hesitant to proceed without clarity on whether Royal AM could fulfill its obligations in the Betway Premiership.

A Passion for Football and Grassroots Development

Roy Moodley’s interest in local football dates back decades to his days as a player for Chatsworth United. He has long been a supporter of soccer development in South Africa and has expressed admiration for legendary players such as Jomo Sono.

Beyond local football, Moodley is also a dedicated fan of Newcastle United, the English Premier League club.

Moodley strongly refuted any claims that his family’s involvement in the bid was purely business-driven. He emphasized that both he and Mageshpren share a passion for grassroots football development, which they believe can help Royal AM overcome its current financial and administrative struggles.

“Mageshpren’s business management expertise may help Royal AM navigate its challenges and improve the team,” Moodley stated.

Moodley’s Contributions to Football Development

Moodley’s commitment to South African football extends beyond Royal AM.

Last year, he founded and sponsored the Roy Moodley Legacy Cup, a junior football tournament in Phoenix aimed at developing young talent. Additionally, he pledged R1 million over five years to sponsor the inaugural Intercity Football Championship under the SAFA eThekwini region.

His dedication to the sport has been evident in his numerous sponsorships and initiatives aimed at supporting young and upcoming players.

Controversy Over Municipal Sponsorship of Royal AM

In a separate but related development, the Msunduzi Municipality faced legal action from the Democratic Alliance (DA) after announcing plans to sponsor Royal AM with R27 million of taxpayers’ money.

The DA took the municipality to the Pietermaritzburg High Court, arguing that such a financial commitment to a private soccer club was unjustifiable, especially given pressing municipal service delivery issues.

While Moodley has not directly commented on the municipal sponsorship, his bid for Royal AM is taking place amid growing debates over financial transparency and accountability in football.

Moodley’s Political Aspirations and Vision for Sports Development

Beyond football, Moodley recently ventured into politics. In the 2024 national elections, he contested under his political party, the African Movement Congress (AMC), expressing his passion for sports and recreation as a tool for societal development.

Prior to the elections, he sponsored the Phoenix SAFA FIFA, further cementing his dedication to local football.

During an AMC meeting in Durban last week, Moodley reiterated his belief that politics should include active participation in sports, arts, and recreation to foster cultural diversity and national unity.

“We believe that football is the way forward. I can assure this historic community of soccer that these participating communities will produce national caps for the Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana national squads,” he stated.

Moodley envisions a South African football landscape where community-driven development programs help produce future national team players.

A Businessman, Philanthropist, and Sports Enthusiast

Outside of football, Moodley is well known as the former CEO of Royal Security, one of South Africa’s largest private security firms. His business ventures also extend into horse racing, where he owns multiple racehorses.

Despite the controversy surrounding his bid for Royal AM, Moodley remains confident that his family will eventually secure ownership of the club. He continues to push for sports-driven community initiatives, believing that football can play a transformative role in South African society.

Looking Ahead: Will the Deal Go Through?

With negotiations still ongoing, it remains to be seen whether Moodley’s bid for Royal AM will be successful. The key obstacle remains securing the necessary payment and ensuring the club’s ability to complete its fixtures.

For now, the fate of Royal AM remains uncertain, but Moodley remains determined to see his vision for South African football come to life—both through the club and his broader sports development initiatives.