Kaizer Chiefs are maintaining a professional and cautious stance regarding the ongoing transfer saga involving young talents Luke Baartman and Asanele Velebayi, as well as other potential player acquisitions.
This update comes directly from the club’s Marketing and Commercial Director, Jessica Motaung, amidst swirling rumors linking the Cape Town Spurs players with the Soweto giants.
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Contractual Dispute at the Forefront
The speculation surrounding Baartman and Velebayi intensified following Cape Town Spurs’ relegation from the Betway Premiership. Misconceptions that relegation automatically voids player contracts have fueled suggestions that Kaizer Chiefs could sign the duo as free agents, without incurring a transfer fee.
That being said, the Western-Cape based outfit strongly dispute this. They contend that Baartman, Velebayi, and fellow player Liam Bern (who has agreed to join AmaZulu) remained under contract even after the club’s drop to the ABC Motsepe League.
Despite Spurs’ claims, Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Baartman and Velebayi. Their availability as free agents is contingent upon the outcome of a Premier Soccer League Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) hearing, scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM SAST. This hearing is crucial in clarifying the players’ contractual status.
Chiefs Prioritize Professionalism and Due Process
Jessica Motaung emphasized Kaizer Chiefs’ commitment to following proper procedures and avoiding interference with other clubs. “We’re in the business of doing things that won’t interfere with other clubs, we want to follow certain procedures and that relates to any other player we’re looking at,” Motaung stated as quoted by iDiski Times.
She further elaborated on the club’s approach: “We’re taking a very professional approach in terms of integrating and bringing the players into the team, so we will make sure we only make announcements, when the time is right – so watch this space.”
Motaung made it clear that the club will not comment on players who are currently contracted to other teams. “But certainly, we can’t be engaging on players who are still with teams or still contracted, once there are any changes we will make those announcements. There’s a process, it needs to be followed, once it’s done, we will make announcements.”
With the DRC hearing looming, Cape Town Spurs are looking to Kaizer Chiefs to uphold their reputation by respecting the outcome of the dispute.