Times Of Swaziland: PLE SPECIAL MEET: ADDRESS INCONSISTENCIES

PLE SPECIAL MEET: ADDRESS INCONSISTENCIES
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Straight Talk with Ashmond Nzima on 14/03/2023 08:24:00


This evening the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) is expected to hold its
special general meeting.
The meeting comes against backdrop of a number of problems besieging the
organisation. It has been more than 30 months since the Mark Carmichael-led
Executive Committee was ushered into office, taking over from the Peter
‘Touch’ Magagula leadership. The new committee was welcomed with euphoria by
those who were looking for a change of personnel. To their backers, it was
indeed a dawn of a new era. One of their immediate task was to employ a chief
executive officer, whom after much wrangling within the executive itself,
Kenneth Makhanya was employed, replacing the erstwhile former Simanga Nhleko,
whose departure cost the organisation a fortune as a result of the PLE’s
breach of contract.
ascendency
The committee’s ascendency and time spent in office thus far has come with
disappointment from some of their backers, who feel the land of honey they
envisioned was a pipe dream. It is a fact that currently all is not well in the
organisation. Therefore, this meeting is a perfect platform for the Board of
Governors (BoGs) to demand answers from the Executive. Most importantly they
should give us a clear direction on what they want the organisation to achieve
in their time at the helm. In their pursuit for answers from the executive
committee, the following issues should not be left unattended.
Firstly, the issue of ticketing, needs a decisive resolution from the BoGs. It
must be noted and appreciated that the clubs’ survival rests mostly on gate
collections. Failure to have a sound mechanism to collect the money greatly
jeopardises their sustainability. This issue was put to rest some time in 2018,
when the same BoGs resolved to enlist the services of a third party to sell
tickets on their behalf. When the ‘Touch’ Magagula-led committee employed
Nhleko, his immediate task was to implement the resolution. Nomakunini was
engaged as the agent to sell tickets. One would admit that at first the system
was a headache to clubs. Nhleko, with the support of the executive, worked
tirelessly to perfect the system and the efforts paid off.
Nhleko and the Magagula-led executive committee left office then at lighting
speed the system was dismantled at the expense of the clubs. At the start of the
season, the tickets were sold through the Mobile Money (MoMo) platform, before
the dramatic switch to the traditional way of selling at the gates. The old
method is said to be done simultaneously with the MoMo ticketing. This has
brought unnecessary confusion. After all, MoMo should be prioritised to ensure a
return on investment on the sponsor’s part.
inconsistencies
Secondly, the inconsistencies in disciplinary matters meted to clubs must be
explained by the executive committee. Not long ago for example, Mbabane
Highlanders FC and Mbabane Swallows FC faced identical misconduct but different
sanctions were meted. Reports suggested that one of the club’s charges were
drawn in violation of the set down rules in respect of match officials’
reports. This is one matter the BoGs should seek answers about and assurances in
respect to equal treatment of clubs. Furthermore, on the same issue of
discipline, the PLE of yesterday was quick to bring wayward officials to order
by taking disciplinary measures against them. Of late clubs officials, even
those not mandated by their clubs to issue statements, have the tendency to hurl
unwanted attacks to the executive committee without fear of repercussions.  Such
behavior if left unpunished has the hallmark of bringing the organisation into
disrepute, scare potential and chase away existing sponsors, something the PLE
currently can ill afford.
status
Thirdly, the BoGs need to find out from the executive committee, on the status
of the knockout tournaments. Since the departure of the Ingwenyama and the
EswatiniBank cups, our elite football has never been the same. The supporters
and all those who follow our football deserve answers. Those answers can only be
availed if the BoGs can be bold enough and fully debate this matter. Fourthly
and lastly, we have gathered from the corridors of power that the relationship
between the CEO and some of the BoGs and certain executive members is strained. 
This must be investigated and dealt with decisively. From our sources, one
member of the executive has gone to an extent of absconding meetings because the
two cannot stand the sight of the other. Furthermore, the choice of words used
by the CEO when addressing some BoGs is said to be unwelcome. The issues raised
above require the BoGs to put aside their personal egos and be candid in
demanding responsibility from the executive. The meeting must not be a talk
show. It should be where a spade is called a spade.
mandate
The executive committee should know that its mandate is to implement resolutions
of the BoGs taken in a properly constituted Assembly. Failure by the BoGs to
hold the executive accountable would have far reaching repercussion to all
associated with the organisation. These include supporters, players, sponsors,
referees, coaches and even members of the media, to mention but a few. To the
BoGs, this is the opportune time to act.