‘BIRDS’ CAN’T SUSPEND US – TASK TEAM CHAIR

MBABANE - Bongani Dlamini, Chairman of the Mbabane Swallows (Pty) Ltd Task Team, is challenging the suspension by the other faction.

There are two factions at Swallows – the company and the football club. The former is under Princess Lungile and has a task team to run the football club. Dlamini’s remarks follow a statement issued by Swallows FC on their Facebook page, announcing the establishment of a disciplinary committee (DC) led by Robert Magongo. The statement indicated that the following individuals - Enock Nkosi, Cyprian Ginindza, Bongani Dlamini, Mduduzi Msane, Khaya Vilakati and Sibusiso Gwebu - have been suspended with immediate effect (pending their appearance before the DC) from participating in any activities that may suggest they are representing Mbabane Swallows FC, including making media statements and attending matches.

 Hearing

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that failure to appear before the DC would be regarded as a forfeiture of their right to be heard, prompting the committee to proceed with the disciplinary hearing in their absence. When questioned about the task team situation and the legitimacy of the leadership at Swallows, Dlamini remarked: “There is little to say regarding this matter because they (Swallows FC) have instructed us not to comment. We do not wish to disrupt the team. The appropriate time will come for us to provide a formal statement,” said Dlamini.  

He extended his best wishes to the team as they competed in the CAF Champions League against Mozambique’s Club Ferroviario da Beira last Friday at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Regarding the suspension and appearance before the Disciplinary Committee, he stated: “Sihliphi, asizange sidvonse tinkhabi,” a phrase loosely translated as, “You cannot put the cart before the horse.” Who has empowered them to establish these committees and make such decisions to suspend us? Nonetheless, we respect their request on national radio for silence” he noted. He mentioned that while the issue was being resolved behind the scenes, where there is a father figure who has passed on; there must be another to assume his responsibilities. “There may be disagreements, but we understand who takes over in the absence of the father,” he remarked.  

Respect

He emphasised that their silence did not stem from having nothing to say. “When we finally speak, it will astonish everyone. For now, we choose to show respect, but perhaps in two weeks’ time, we will be prepared to issue a statement,” he added.  Dlamini lamented that it was unfortunate they were pleading for assistance, while members of the task team were suspended.  “What manner of leadership is this? You appoint individuals to the DC yet do not inform them of such a significant task. Where is the governance in this?

“Some members of the Disciplinary Committee have distanced themselves from this decision, revealing divisions among them. Nonetheless, as I said, we will not discuss this extensively until the right moment,” he asserted. Those distancing themselves from the newly-formed DC include Starky Mvumbu and Jabulani Simelane. Meanwhile, Welile Mabuza, Acting Chairman of Swallows FC, referred all comments to the Acting President, Absalom Ngwenya. Efforts to reach Ngwenya for comments were unsuccessful.

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