CAMPAIGN FOR PLE VOTES RAGES ON

MBABANE – The prevailing coronavirus pandemic is not stopping those eyeing the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) chairmanship from secretly canvassing for votes from the Board of Governors (BOGs).

The race for this much-sought-after position promises to be very interesting after it emerged that election hopefuls have stepped up their behind-the-scenes campaign for support from BOGs, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that some are promising heaven and earth in favour of votes.

Information gathered by this publication has revealed that there is serious secret campaigning involving some of those that qualify to be nominated for the chairman position currently being held by Peter ‘Touch’ Magagula. Actually, some have publicly declared their interest in standing for the elections if nominated by the BOGs for this position.

Lockdown

Despite the country being in a 21-day extended partial lockdown as announced by the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini recently, this has not stopped the behind-the-scenes campaign by some of those hoping to get the position.  For the record, only four members from the current executive committee qualify to be nominated in line with the organisation’s current constitution.

These are Magagula, Sicelo Mkhonta (Manzini Sea Birds), Mark Carmichael (Denver Sundowns) and Tambuti FC’s Rudolph Matsenjwa by virtue of having served in the PLE executive committee for the stipulated four years.

Pandemic

There were initial attempts by some BOGs to have amendments to the current constitution adopted before the organisation’s elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) whose date remains unknown due to the coronavirus pandemic that has stalled all football activities in the entire world.

“Those hoping to be elected during the PLE AGM are not sitting on their laurels despite the coronavirus pandemic because they realise the need to campaign for the votes now before it is too late. This has created a bit of resentment among the executive members and there are now accusations of backbiting and backstabbing involving them. It is very tense now and the elections could produce interesting results,” a member of the BOGs told this newspaper.

It is unclear if all the qualifying candidates for the chairman position will accept nomination from the BOGs as there are unconfirmed reports that some may choose to drop out of the race even if nominated.      

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