After a lengthy legal process, Marumo Gallants has been sanctioned with a R200,000 fine for fielding an ineligible player, Monde Mpambaniso, during the 2024/25 campaign.
The case originated from a complaint lodged by Cape Town City, who contested the legality of Mpambaniso's registration. The matter was initially resolved at a SAFA arbitration, where the decision favoured Cape Town City, prompting the case to be escalated to the PSL Disciplinary Committee.
Following the arbitration's ruling, PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu determined that Gallants would face a financial penalty. Of the R200,000 fine, a significant portion—50%—has been suspended for 24 months, offering the club some leniency while still holding them accountable for the improper player registration.
PSL’S DECISION ON CAPE TOWN CITY/MARUMO GALLANTS CASE
“I can confirm that a short while ago, the PSL DC just finalised a disciplinary matter in which I had preferred charges of misconduct against Marumo Gallants Football Club as well as its player, Mr. Monde Mpambaniso,” Majavu stated.
“This case stemmed from the registration of Mr. Mpambaniso, which was procured by Marumo Gallants without the required clearance certificate in accordance of the rules of the league. Mindful of the circumstances, the context and the background against which this player was registered, Marumo Gallants pleaded guilty, and in the result, were subsequently convicted as such.
“Coming to the issue of sanction, having listened to the evidence in aggravation as well as the evidence in mitigation and the prevailing contextual background pertaining to this matter, which I must hasten to add that was subjected to a variety of disciplinary proceedings, served before various appeal tribunals, including a recent arbitration which resulted in a directive by the arbitrator that they be charged.
“The PSL DC ruled as follows, one that Marumo Gallants be fined an amount of 200,000 Rands, half of which is immediately payable, and the other half suspended for 24 months, on condition that during the period of suspension they are not found guilty of the same offence again.
“Should they reoffend, that suspended portion would be triggered immediately, and they will be further sanctioned for that subsequent misdemeanour. They were further directed to carry the costs of the DC hearing up until the matter was finalised, which costs would be completed administratively, and then on forwarded to Marum Gallants to pay.
“With regard to the player. The player was found not guilty, and in the result, no sanction was meted out to him. This is the end of this matter for now, unless a party that is aggrieved by this outcome exercises its right to appeal, in which case we will deal with that matter when it arises.”
