ARCHBISHOP BHEKI LUKHELE OFFICIALLY QUITS ‘BIRDS’

MBABANE – It is now official – Archbishop Bheki Lukhele has stepped down from his President position at Mbabane Swallows.

The red and white Umkhonto KaShaka released a statement yesterday affirming the latest while refuting a local daily’s report that Lukhele had agreed to stay put and was also bound to pay unpaid May salaries to players and staff. The All Nations Church Leader who joined Swallows in the 2018/19 season, as their leader after the demise of Victor Gamedze a year earlier, had been reported to have quit the club a few weeks ago by our sister publication, the Eswatini News, while another publication reported he had already left based on a letter by Lukhele purporting he was to leave after the last match of the season.

Nearly a month later since reports of his imminent departure sufficed, it has officially been confirmed by Swallows after a meeting between the two parties. The red and white Umkhonto KaShaka Council of Elders Chairman Absalom Ngwenya confirmed the news yesterday, through a press statement. Ngwenya made it clear in his statement that they saw it fit to come out and clarify the true position after what he described a ‘misleading’ report by one of the local weekly newspapers yesterday. He named the publication in the statement which reported Lukhele had and the elders agreed the latter would continue as their leader. Lukhele was the financial muscle behind Swallows, buying and paying players among other responsibilities.
“The club saw it necessary to first engage Bishop Lukhele and senior club management structures before releasing information to supporters of the club, members of the media and the public, read the statement.

letter of resignation

“Swallows would like to clarify that the published reports are misleading. Due to personal reasons Bishop Lukhele has officially submitted a letter of resignation to the club and has met with the club’s Council of Elders to dialogue about the matter,” stated the press sent yesterday afternoon. “The bishop clarified that his resignation is from the position he held as president of Mbabane Swallows and that he remains a member of the Swallows family. A meeting between the Bishop, Council of Elders and senior club management members took place recently, where members of the council as well members of the management team appealed to the bishop to reconsider his decision to resign, especially since the club epitomised the highest level of professionalism in the country and the region,” further read the statement.

According to the resignation letter by Lukhele, he was expected to step down mid last month, May 13, when the domestic season ended. Ngwenya further noted that Lukhele managed the team well but the lack of silverware. He leaves the club with only the Africa Day Cup trophy won last weekend in Durban, South Africa after beating AmaZulu 2-0. Ngwenya this was one of the reasons given by Lukhele but violence was the one that was said to have stood out. The elders’ chairperson said they would do all they can to have these raised issues addressed as Lukhele did declare he may one day return if things change. “The main reason cited by the bishop were the various instances of violence directed at the club and its personnel which have persisted since he took over presidency of the club. The bishop cited various incidents of violence aimed at the club which took place during the tenure of Head Coaches tenures Honour Janza, Christopher Ennin and Caleb Ngwenya,” stated the statement.

It is said that Lukhele was concerned with safety of the club, the coaches, and personnel as well players, with violence being a major threat and danger to him. He however promised to assist in anyway where he could and to review his resignation once all the issues are addressed. “Until all these pending matters have been resolved, the council of elders will take charge of leading the club in the interim. The club continues to strongly caution all supporters against instigating or being involved in violent incidents, which put the state of the team and local football into disrepute. The club stands strongly against occurrences and will not hesitate to ensure that perpetrators of these occurrences receive severe punishment,” noted the statement.
Swallows further expressed their gratitude to ‘Birds’ family and appealed for patience as they try to they put their house in order.

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