AS ‘WESLIANS’ SAGA DRAGS ON: JUDGE INSISTS: NO DELAY FOR WANDERERS CASE

MBABANE – Judge Mumcy Dlamini has insisted on hearing the application for the execution of the order to fixture Manzini Wanderers despite the appeal against her judgment.

The appeal, which was filed by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) and Moneni Pirates, is pending in the Supreme Court. In one of their prayers, the PLE wants the appeal to be heard immediately. Wanderers approached the High Court in a bid to compel the PLE to fixture them in the ongoing 2024/25 MTN Premier League season, among other prayers. Yesterday, the parties (PLE and Pirates), represented by their attorneys, appeared in court and informed Judge Dlamini that there is an appeal pending in the Supreme Court.

However, the judge told the parties that it was none of her business and said she would proceed with the matter. She said the matter should return to court on Friday, despite the proceedings in the Supreme Court. The marathon relegation battle involving Manzini Wanderers and city rivals Denver Sundowns was initially concluded at the High Court, after both the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) and the EFA Appeals Board dismissed Wanderers’ protest.

The maroon and white hub giants lodged a protest over Sundowns Skipper Jimoh Moses, during the 2023/24 MTN Premier League relegation six-pointer, which was played at the Somhlolo National Stadium, on May 19, 2024. Wanderers alleged that Moses had no valid work permit during the game, which they lost 4-2. After the case was dismissed by the EFA bodies, Wanderers ran to court, seeking its intervention on the matter. 

The matter was before Judge Bonginkhosi Magagula before he recused himself. It was then brought before Judge Dlamini, who ordered both the EFA and the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) to review and set aside the ruling of the EFA Appeals Board.  Wanderers ran from pillar to post demanding that they be included in the ongoing MTN Premier League matches, which never happened. The Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Nkambule-captained outfit ran back to court seeking that it forces the PLE to execute the order.

As the matter was back in court, yesterday; the PLE insisted that the execution order remained stayed as they had filed an appeal. According to Wanderers’ legal representative, SM Jele through Sifiso ‘Charlie’ Jele, they will file their answering affidavit too by the end of business today. The PLE is represented by Meluleki Ndlangamandla of MLK Ndlangamandla Attorneys. The matter will be heard on Friday before Judge Dlamini at 9:30am.

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