Johannesburg - Bidvest Wits coach Roger de Sa has launched a stinging tirade on the PSL's three richest clubs, describing their dealings in the transfer market as "money madness".

The Students boss claims Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns have tarnished local football's transfer system by offering exorbitant salaries and transfer fees which can hardly be matched by the less illustrious Premiership outfits.

"They've got money to waste," De Sa told The Sowetan regarding the trio, "and boy, do they waste it at times."

The Clever Boys tactician highlighted the fate of Tefu Mashamaite as a warning to players who are lured to clubs by financial gain, with the former Wits captain and defender having joined Chiefs only to see his once promising career stagnate on the sidelines.

"I don't think this money madness of making the rich richer and the poor poorer does South African soccer any good because in many instances players of ability are lured by the huge amount of money offered to them - only to find their careers have taken a nosedive by making that move.

"Tefu was not only hailed far-and-wide as a great success when he captained Wits while marshaling our defence but he was also spoken of as a potential Bafana captain of the future, as well as enjoying a glowing academic career at the university," the coach added.

"Where is he now? Wallowing in the Chiefs reserve team."

Wits also saw another skipper, Sifiso Myeni, lured away from the Bidvest Stadium in the January transfer window as Pirates reportedly offered the player three-times what Roger de Sa had been put on the table, plus a massive signing bonus believed to be in the region of R1-million.

"Contrary to a lot of the comments that have been bandied about, we have never encouraged any of our top players to leave the club," De Sa added.

"As for Myeni's move to Pirates, it was simply the player's wish. We were ready to offer him a new contract when his present contract expired at the end of the season and pay him a good deal more than he is earning now."