‘BULL’ PATRONS TERMINATE ALLY’S CONTRACT

MBABANE – Mbabane Highlanders patrons have terminated the contract of South African businessman and Managing Director Ally Kgomongwe. A termination letter was dispatched on Saturday, as confirmed by Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Musa Masuku, who indicated that Kgomongwe has been granted seven days to surrender all the team material, tools or merchandise. Informed sources revealed that the club’s patrons convened on January 8 to deliberate and ultimately resolved to sever ties with Kgomongwe. The letter addressed to Kgomongwe articulated that the patrons, empowered by the club’s Constitution to negotiate and formalise management agreements, had met on January 8 in Ezulwini, where they unanimously decided to rescind his contract.

They expressed escalating concerns regarding Kgomongwe’s obstinate  alleged unavailability to engage with them in addressing the ongoing turmoil within the club. His prolonged absence from Eswatini since the commencement of the current football season in September 2024 was cited as particularly detrimental. The patrons underscored the alarming issues confronting the club, including unpaid salaries for players and staff for over four months, the dismal state of the team, and the mounting, unsettled liabilities. Collectively, these factors positioned the club in a highly vulnerable state, prompting the patrons to take decisive action. The letter informed Kgomongwe that his authority over the football club has been irrevocably rescinded, and he has been summarily removed from his roles as Director and Governor within the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE). The correspondence stated that they would officially notify the PLE of this resolution. The patrons reiterated the club’s compliance with the provisions of the Companies Act regarding its incorporation, noting that the matter had been formally escalated to the Registrar of Companies due to Kgomongwe’s inability  to comply with several procedural and regulatory obligations.

revoked

The patrons revoked the assignment of shares previously granted to him on allegedly on trusteeship basis, highlighting that he is now required to return all club-related materials, tools, merchandise and other items in his possession within seven days. In conclusion, the letter reiterated the necessity for Kgomongwe to surrender all specified items promptly while informing him of the serious implications of the actions being taken against him. Kgomongwe initially joined the Highlanders on May 20, 2019. However, tensions escalated in 2024 as he faced mounting disapproval from a faction of concerned supporters.

Kgomongwe has persistently claimed to hold 80 per cent of the team’s shares and insisted that he cannot be removed from his directorial position. He had been quoted as stating that he would allow the supporters to manage the team and would intervene if they faltered. However, it appears that the patrons have made it clear that Kgomongwe’s tenure has come to an end. In recent developments, Kgomongwe has reportedly joined Botswana Extension Gunners as a new partner. He confirmed receiving the termination letter via WhatsApp from one of the patrons, Bheka Mabuza, yet stated that he would refrain from further comments until a formal letter is presented.

One notable incident occurred in 2018 involving Bristol City, a club in the English Football League Championship. The club’s board of directors issued a letter to former CEO Mark Ashton, informing him of their decision to terminate his contract due to a series of unmet promises and management failures. Key among the grievances was Ashton’s inability to secure timely financial backing for player salaries during a challenging financial period for the club. Supporters and staff had expressed growing frustration regarding unpaid wages and lack of clear communication from management about the club’s financial health.

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