COURT ORDERS HIGHLANDERS TO PAY SWALLOWS E40 000

MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows have won their court bid against Mbabane Highlanders by default, after the latter reportedly failed to respond.

Late last month, this publication exclusively reported that Swallows FC took their arch-rivals, Highlanders, to court to demand the payment of E40 000, which is said to be a balance due for the transfer of gifted winger Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze.  Through Fakudze Attorneys, Swallows claimed Highlanders were failing to settle to pay, despite numerous requests. The matter was before High Court of Eswatini Judge Ticheme Dlamini, yesterday, and a default judgment was issued against the black and white ensemble. In a default judgment, a court order is issued against a party who does not respond to a complaint or appear in court.

Favour

This allows the court to make a ruling in favour of the plaintiff without hearing the defendant’s side of the case. In court papers, Swallows alleged that they transferred Sikhondze to Highlanders on an agreed fee of E80 000.“The terms of payment of the transfer fee of the said player were that a deposit of E40 000 be payable on or before the release of the transfer documents and that the balance of E40 000 be payable on or before June 30, 2024,” reads the letter. wallows had given Highlanders until August 31, 2024, to make the payment.
The red and white outfit want settlement on the said amount with interest calculated at nine per cent per annum on top of the costs of the application.

Notably, there was drama before ‘Pupu’ completed a switch to Highlanders. It started with the player handing in his resignation to the club, as he sought a move away.  He was denied by the club and hauled Swallows before the Players’ Status Committee, which ruled in the latter’s favour.  Swallows then put a E150 000 initial price tag on the player after learning that their rivals were looking to sign him, which was later lowered to the agreed upon E80 000.

Joined

It is worth noting that Sikhondze joined Tanzanian top division outfit Tabora United, a few months back, after leaving Highlanders.  He played for one season at the ‘Black Bull’.
Worth mentioning is that Highlanders will welcome Swallows at Mavuso Sports Centre for the epic Mbabane derby, on Sunday.

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