IN FRESH SUPREME COURT COUNTER-APPLICATION: ‘WESLIANS’ IN BID TO STOP GAMES

MBABANE – New day, fresh twist.

This is story of the relegation battle involving Manzini Wanderers and city rivals Denver Sundowns. Wanderers have since filed a counter-application at the Supreme Court, seeking an order stopping the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) from continuing with all top division games, pending the finalisation of the matter.  While Wanderers are first respondents, the PLE is an applicant in the original matter pending at the Supreme Court. The latter is challenging the High Court of Eswatini’s decision to issue an order instructing the football bodies to include Wanderers in the Premier League programme.

Finalisation

Pending the finalisation of the PLE appeal, Wanderers are now demanding the freeze of all Premier League games. This is through their counter-application. According to legal experts, a court counter-application is a new bid filed by a respondent against an applicant or another party in a court proceeding. The purpose of a counter-application is to ensure that all issues between the parties are heard together, which can be the most efficient way to resolve a dispute. Another application filed by the PLE is also seeking that the contempt of court bid from Wanderers should not be heard by Judge Mumcy Dlamini, who ruled in the maroon and white’s outfit favour. 

This application was before Judge Mbutfo Mamba, this past Thursday. Judge Mamba, after hearing the submissions of the parties, advised that the matter will be heard today at the same court. According to the maroon and white hub giants’ legal representatives SM Jele Attorneys, through Sifiso ‘Charlie’ Jele, they had presented the court papers to the PLE, last Friday. He also revealed that they filed the papers in court too. Jele said they are opposing the contempt of court application, which was filed by the Polycarp Dlamini-chaired organisation not to be brought before Judge Dlamini. Meanwhile, the PLE Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat Vilakati could not be drawn for comments, as the matter is still in court.

The matter will be heard before Judge Mamba, today at 2:30pm. Both Wanderers and PLE’s applications are expected to be heard simultaneously. Meanwhile, it all started when Wanderers protested against Sundowns’ Captain Jimoh Moses, claiming he had no work permit on the day of the league decider, which was played back in May, this year. The protest was dismissed by Eswatini Football Association (EFA) judicial bodies, before Wanderers were granted their wish by the High Court of Eswatini. However, their joy was short-lived, as PLE filed an appeal. Several court applications are being made almost each week, which include the contempt bid against the PLE, which is also vigorously challenged.

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