Times Of Swaziland: NSINGIZINI FINED FOR TRADE FAIR ‘DRAMA’

NSINGIZINI FINED FOR TRADE FAIR ‘DRAMA’
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Machawe Fakudze on 18/10/2024 09:36:00


MBABANE –Premier League outfit Nsingizini Hotspurs have been punished, after
featuring in two tournaments in one day.
MTN Premier League outfit Nsingizini Hotspurs were hauled before the Eswatini
Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) for contravening Article
17.2 of the recently-concluded 8Bet Trade Fair Cup. The Shiselweni-based side
were charged alongside their Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sibusiso
‘Mnotfo’ Dlamini. They were represented by Magistrate Zakhele Dlamini,
before the Thulani Sibandze-chaired DC, while the Premier League of Eswatini
(PLE) paraded Sibusiso Manda.The DC wanted to know how the Derrick Shiba-owned
club and the PRO contravened the rules of the 2024 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, which
was eventually won by Young Buffaloes.
Oppose
The DC Chairman, Sibandze, firstly asked Nsingizini Hotspurs if he should
consolidate the charges for ‘Mnotfo’ and that of the team. The team did not
oppose the consolidation of the charges and the case proceeded.  It was
Vilakati, who was requested to make his submission on how the back-to-back MoMo
Cup champions contravened the rules of the E2 million-sponsored tournament. It
is worth mentioning that Insingizi Yezulu participated in the annual Prince
Mangosuthu Legacy Cup, while still in the Trade Fair Cup. In his submission, PLE
Acting Chief Executive Officer Pat Vilakati said he heard Dlamini inviting their
supporters to attend the game in Ulundi, South Africa.
“The game in South Africa was marketed more than the Trade Fair Cup ,”
Vilakati said. He said the sponsor and the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup Management
Committee (MC) was concerned about Mnotfo’s remarks on the Eswatini
Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) Sports Show, which was hosted by
Siphesihle ‘Sihlabani’ Nxumalo. “His remarks were a counter-action as he
promised the supporters that they would be afforded free transport to attend the
game in South Africa,” he said.
Evidence
Zakhele highlighted that the team used the same players in the duration of the
tournament and there was no evidence produced by the PLE except that they heard
Mnotfo on radio.
Sibandze, after hearing the submissions, confirmed that the team indeed brought
the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup into disrepute  and charged them with a E10 000 fine.
He, however, suspended half of the fine, which means that they will pay E5 000.
Mnotfo was lucky too as the PLE Prosecutor requested that he should not be
charged as it was already late. The 2024 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, Article 17. 2
states that clubs and/or club officials shall not publish or make statements
that may bring the tournament or PLE and/or Eswatini Football Association (EFA)
into disrepute.