The ongoing scandal at Moroka Swallows that has led to recommendations that 22 players be shown the door has been labelled as being criminal.
A catalogue of issues at Swallows has led to the recommendation from the chairperson of the club's DC that 22 players be sacked, which the South African Football Players Union has called out as a plot to then re-engage them on new terms.
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SAFPU is now at the forefront in the fight for the players' rights with Swallows having already forfeited two games which led to the league sanctioning them.
Amongst the 22 is the trio of Daniel Akpeyi, Wandisile Letlabika, and Lantshene Phalane.
"This problem doesn't start now because we have been in contact with the players who have been honouring games without being paid their salaries as per their contracts," says Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe, the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) president.
"This whole façade that the players refused to play because they wanted their December salaries early is a façade.
"This December thing is a lie.
"At the heart of this is the push to terminate the contracts and renegotiate.
"All these charges that have been concocted against the players are nowhere to be found.
"The club is pushing players to renegotiate their contracts which is an evil and diabolical thing to do.
"As things are at Swallows, it is just a broken system because players were paid their November salaries before the SuperSport United game (December 15).
"Players are owed for previous months at Swallows which is why players a verbal agreement was agreed that the December salary be paid on the 22nd.
"What Swallows is doing is criminal and we are fighting for players to be respected instead of promises that are not kept.
"Even if they bring new players will the problem of non-payment go away at the club," says Gaoshubelwe who was backed by the vocal secretary general Nhlanhla Shabalala.
"The way this was reported gave the impression that players wanted to be paid December salaries early, yet they are owed signing on fees and previous months.
"If you not paid in June and July but then get paid in August and September which month does the salary from September addressing?
"The payroll at Swallows has completely collapsed.
"This is not about December but all other outstanding previous months.
"While Ernst Middendorp was the coach at Swallows players were subjected to fines for not attending training after not being paid for months.
"Players have been lenient and protecting the image of the club.
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"Teams are still refusing to give players a copy of the contract which creates a procedural challenge when there has been a breach.
"We are not enemies of the clubs but want to fix," says Shabalala.
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