In a bold move, Black Leopards founder David Thidiela has publicly
called for Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie to intervene in the Premier
Soccer League’s (PSL) governance, taking specific aim at the decade-long
tenure of Golden Arrows chairlady Mato Madlala as the league’s acting Chief
Executive Officer.
Thidiela confirmed he has sent a strongly worded letter to the Minister,
raising serious concerns about accountability and a conflict of interest
within the PSL’s leadership.
In an exclusive interview, the outspoken club owner expressed disbelief that
such an arrangement has persisted for so long. “You’ll never see this
anywhere in the world,” Thidiela stated. “Is there any organisation where
someone who is the owner of a team is running the league? So why here?”
He firmly dismissed the idea that Madlala’s long-standing role was ever
formally approved. “No, it was never allowed. It was not… There was no
permission about it – and that’s why she’s still acting,” he asserted,
directly attributing the appointment to PSL Chairman Irvin Khoza. “It’s
Irvin who put her there.”
Thidiela expressed frustration with what he perceives as media complacency,
accusing journalists of being “captured” and failing to report objectively
on the issue. “You know these things,” he challenged. “Tomorrow, the media
will say this, and that day you will say that, and there is no objectivity.
You allow these things to happen.”
Believing the Minister is the appropriate authority to address the matter,
Thidiela has chosen to take his concerns directly to the government. “I have
written a letter to him because I believe he is the right person to talk to.
These things have been happening for a long time, and I have been against
these things,” he explained.
He concluded by stating he will make no further public comments until after
engaging with Minister McKenzie.
The PSL had not responded to a request for comment by the time of
publication.
