NEW YEAR, OLD CHALLENGES AS: OVER E800 000 SALARY BILL GROUNDS ‘BIRDS’

MBABANE - The city giants, Mbabane Swallows, find themselves mired in a debilitating salary dispute, with players currently unpaid for a staggering three months.

The outstanding debt of E813 000 has resulted in the team being unable to resume training after the Christmas break. The ‘Birds’ were scheduled to return to training on Saturday, December 28, 2024, but as of yesterday, this was yet to materialise, pending the overdue payments, which also pose a risk of a player exodus. This situation casts a shadow over their forthcoming MTN Premier League clash against Young Buffaloes on Saturday. During an appearance on the Voice of the Church Radio Station Sports Show yesterday, Umkhonto KaShaka’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Knowledge ‘Bhambo’ Ngwenya, shed light on the club’s dire financial predicament.

“We are currently grappling with debts totalling E2 million, and the Management Committee (MC) is operating under a significant deficit. Nothing can progress until these debts are addressed,” he stated. Ngwenya underscored the precarious situation facing the players, affirming: “We cannot summon them back to training without settling their salaries. Their welfare is our top priority, alongside that of the technical bench.” He pointed out that the monthly expenditure on player salaries amounts to E271 000, leaving a considerable outstanding balance for the last three months of 2024. It is also important to note that the players’ last salaries, which were for September, were only paid in half.

In his desperation for a resolution, Ngwenya appealed for financial support. “We urgently require assistance from businesses and the wider community, as the players’ lives are effectively at a standstill.” He expressed concern over the difficult circumstances confronting the club, particularly regarding the unpaid efforts of the Management Committee. “Those calling for the MC to resign are missing the point. They believe we are mismanaging funds, but we receive no compensation for our work,” Ngwenya clarified.

He highlighted that the recent power struggle has adversely affected their relationship with sponsors, tarnishing the reputations of their backers. “Our sponsors remain unconvinced by the meeting held on December 2, 2024, with the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE),” Ngwenya disclosed. “When they attempt to seek financial assistance, they encounter resistance.” He made it clear that sponsors are insisting on a peace-bidding letter from the PLE, confirming that the club is officially back under the control of Mbabane Swallows Football Club.

This request follows the PLE’s recent intervention in the ownership dispute between Mbabane Swallows Football Club and Mbabane Swallows (PTY) LTD. The Football Club Management Committee had returned the team to Princess Lungile, yet the Princess’s faction declined to assume control, citing the E2 million debt as a significant hurdle. Ngwenya revealed that the club had written to the PLE on December 24, 2024, requesting the peace-bidding letter and are currently awaiting a response.

“We remain hopeful that once the PLE responds, we will be able to secure assistance from our sponsors,” he remarked. Additionally, Ngwenya disclosed that the club has also reached out to the PLE to request a postponement of their upcoming match against Amathole’zinyathi.  Notably, in the heat of the leadership late last year, the PLE postponed Swallows’ clash against Royal Leopard and it was replayed about a month later. Attempts to get a response from the PLE regarding Swallows’ fresh request were fruitless at time of compiling this report. Acting Chief Executive Officer Pat Vilakati’s phone repeatedly rang unanswered.

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