WE ARE SUFFERING, STOP LEAGUE – WANDERERS

(At High Court)
MBABANE – “We are suffering!” These were the words of Manzini Wanderers’ legal representative, Advocate Mduduzi ‘Tsotsi’ Mabila, who represented the ‘Weslians’ under the instruction of SM Jele Attorneys, during their Supreme Court appearance yesterday. The maroon and white giants had filed an application for abandonment of the appeal, which was lodged by Moneni Pirates, Denver Sundowns and Jimoh Moses on September 27, 2024. This followed Wanderers’ victory in their case against the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Appeals Board’s ruling regarding the protest they filed against Moses, alleging that he lacked a work permit.

This incident occurred on May 19, 2024, at Somhlolo National Stadium during their relegation six-pointer, which was won by Sundowns with a score of 4-2.
The matter was before a panel of three Supreme Court judges: Stanley Maphalala, Nkululeko Hlophe and Sabelo Matsebula. Mabila, while making his submissions, requested the court to abandon and strike off Moneni Pirates’ appeal, citing their failure to file the High Court records with the Supreme Court. “There are no records to appeal, and they failed to file the records in time,” Mabila stated.

The trio, represented by Advocate Lucas Maziya, requested that the matter be stayed as the records from the High Court were incomplete and confusing.“The records are in fact in shambles, and for the purpose of justice, the matter should be stayed, pending discussion between the parties,” Maziya argued. He highlighted that there was no need for them to file the records as the court already possessed those from the High Court. “It would be like we are presenting the court with two records,” he added. Advocate Mabila also pointed out that even the Appeals Board never appealed the September 27, 2024 ruling by Her Ladyship Judge Mumcy Dlamini, who ordered that the EFA Appeals Board verdict be reviewed and set aside.

Included

She also mandated that Wanderers be included in the ongoing MTN Premier League campaign. Mabila further revealed that their client was suffering prejudice as they were paying the players’ salaries while remaining inactive, while the other parties were participating in the league. “Why can’t the league be stopped or stop the other parties from participating?” he wondered.

“We are requesting that the matter be abandoned and struck off the court’s roll, and the judgement of Her Ladyship Dlamini be stayed. We also seek that all parties pay the court costs,” he added. After hearing the submissions from both parties, Judge Maphalala announced that judgement would be reserved. It is worth mentioning that the ‘Weslians’ are yet to kick a ball in a competitive game and have missed out on participating in the ongoing 2024/25 Ingwenyama Cup, sponsored by Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF).

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