SWALLOWS FC FLY BACK TO COMPANY STATUS

MBABANE - Following allegations of financial difficulties, Mbabane Swallows FC’s management has decided to revert the team to its original status as a company, in an attempt to address the issues of unpaid players’ salaries and other fiscal concerns.
The current champions of the MTN Premier League have been experiencing a tumultuous period regarding their players’ salaries. It is alleged that the players have gone unpaid for the past two months, with their last payment being received in September, and even that was for only half salaries. This troubling situation has likely caused significant financial strain and uncertainty for the players, who have nevertheless continued to perform their duties on the field despite the absence of compensation.Swallows FC Acting President Absalom Ngwenya has reportedly declared they have no money to pay players their salaries. Ngwenya purportedly made this statement during a hearing held at the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC) offices yesterday. He was in the company of his management committee (MC) when this matter was deliberated on. Meanwhile, at least 15 players also formed part of the proceedings that lasted for about an hour.

Grievances

This comes after the players took decisive action against their management by filing a complaint last Friday for alleged failure to pay salaries and fulfil other obligations. The letter, drafted by the team’s 24 registered players, outlines their grievances with the management.The Acting President Ngwenya after the meeting, which was behind closed doors as reporters were not allowed entry, declared that they have no money to pay players their salaries.Impeccable sources who preferred to comment on condition of anonymity affirmed these reports. “Ngwenya revealed they would hand over the team back to late Swallows Chairman Victor Gamedze’s wife Princess Lungile,” the source said.
The ‘Birds’ Legal Advisor, Welile Mabuza, opted to keep his cards close to his chest. “Deliberations of this matter are confidential to the parties involved. Therefore, I cannot comment on the matter,” Mabuza said. The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat Vilakati said his office was unaware of the handover.
“Member issues are discussed between the PLE and them. Unfortunately, as yet there is no formal correspondence regarding the same. We only have a copy of the players’ letter of grievances submitted to CMAC last week,” Vilakati said.
A number of players from the team, who have requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of this matter, disclosed to this publication that if the team is not returned to the management of Princess Lungile, they will be forced to consider resigning from the club.“Having endured more than our fair share of hardship and turmoil, we have reached our breaking point. The time has come for decisive action, and we firmly believe that the solution lies in returning control of the team to Princess Lungile. We are willing to stand together, united in our convictions, until this outcome is achieved,” said one of the players.

The players alleged that the team was neglecting injured players the likes of Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala and Given Lukhele among others. According to another source close to the ‘Birds’ nest some sponsors reportedly raised objections, claiming that they were kept in the dark on the team’s internal challenges and were threatening to pull out.In a press statement released last night, the Swallows FC Management Committee (MC) and the National Supporters Committee (NSC) declared that it was essential for them to officially vacate their respective offices and pass on the responsibilities for the team’s administration to Princess Lungile and the newly established Board of Directors.

“During the week leading up to November 8, 2024, the Mbabane Swallows players boycotted training and approached your office for intervention regarding their salaries. Fortunately, you were not available but passed word that you would extend an invitation to them once available. Neither were means made to contact the Management Committee nor Bishop Lukhele to find out about the sudden visit by the players. The players continued with the boycott pending your meeting with them.On the other hand, the team was scheduled to meet with Princess Lungile’s management team today at 1pm at the Madlenya to finalise the handover of the club’s operations. A source has revealed that Princess Lungile is reportedly travelling to South Africa before returning on Sunday. The outcome of this meeting is yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, Mbabane Highlanders players are facing a similar plight. Through a petition signed by 19 players, they expressed their alleged suffering in silence under the leadership of South African Managing Director (MD) Ally Kgomongwe, claiming that their salaries have frequently been delayed or not paid at all.
(More reports on the statement on next publication)

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