Former Tshakuma Tsha Mazhivandhila FC left-back Cheslyn Jampies says that the poor treatment he received at the club has diminished his enthusiasm for football.
The 35-year-old Jampies, who is currently without a team, is still owed nearly R1 million by the Limpopo province club following the termination of his contract in 2022.
"I'm still waiting for that money, it's been almost three years now. Apparently, there are some positives, and I'm currently in Cape Town," Jampies tells KickOff.
"There were discussions about me going to Durban City, but I don’t know what happened; they never got back to me.
"I can’t retire right now, I’m still young. I'm sure a lot of what is happening to me now is linked to my experience at TTM. There was no reason for it to go this far.
"It's clear that Lawrence Mulaudzi was not prepared to pay me. My car was repossessed, and I had to sell my bed, fridge, and TV just to get to Cape Town. It was a tough road.
"I have some income here and there, and my wife has a very good job, so she is taking great care of us with her earnings.
"We'll wait until this issue with Mulaudzi is resolved before I start putting myself on the market again. But I somehow don’t trust him, anything could happen while I’m away from home," he added.
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"Therefore, I have decided not to engage in football until this situation is settled. By now, I expected PSL and NFD clubs would have reached out to me, but none of that has happened yet.
"This has taken a significant toll on me. I had a promising career in football for 15 years, and Mulaudzi destroyed it in less than six months.
"After what I’ve been through, what can I teach children who want to play football? I can’t teach them to work hard behind the scenes when that hasn’t helped me.
"The R750,000 is just one of the payments TTM were supposed to make, they actually owe me much more than that."
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KickOff reached out to Mulaudzi, who was not available for comment, but contacted the lawyer of the club, who has since responded to the allegations.
According to lawyer Kabelo Mashego, Jampies should accept that there is no money to pay him.
"Jampies, there was a termination of contract which he took the DRC, which was labelled as unfair dismissal, and he claimed the remainder of the contract," Mashego tells KickOff.
"So this is not about outstanding salaries but it's about damages. I think it's even running this season as well. And with the club relegated from the professional league [Motsepe Foundation Championship], there is no money to pay him. I think that's the easiest answer.
"According to my knowledge the club no longer exists. Unless it's operating somewhere in Limpopo. The club is no more, so it's one of those debts you must just write off. You can’t just run after a non-existing club for damages.
"Sometimes you must just accept. It's one of those things."
