MBABANE – Battle lines have been drawn.
The Hilton Garden Inn will be home for the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Elective General Assembly this Sunday. Reports suggest that some affiliates under the EFA have their members divided ahead of the elections. Instead of going to vote as a bloc, it is alleged that there are two factions for the presidency position among some affiliates, with some in support of the incumbent President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane while others want fresh blood into office in EFA Vice President Mashumi Shongwe.
Further allegations suggest that there is a cabal ensuring that two people from some affiliates are left behind to cut numbers of one faction. It is said each affiliate has a seven-member structure. Nevertheless, six members are purportedly allowed to cast a vote during the elections. It is worth noting that the referees, coaches and women chairmen are allowed to cast their votes out of the six from the EFA members. This means that one member of their executive committee is denied the right to exercise their vote.
The general assembly is composed of 48 delegates with six expected to represent every affiliate. The EFA has six affiliates: Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), four regional associations, Eswatini Referees Association, Eswatini Football Coaches Association and Women Football Association.
As per article 27(3) of the 2025 EFA Statutes adopted on June 22, 2025, each delegate has one vote in the general assembly and only delegates present are entitled to vote. It is said that attendance by video conference shall constitute presence. In addition, voting by proxy or by letter is not permitted.
A certain official within these affiliates was quizzed as this publication wanted to test the veracity of the claims regarding the division over votes. Regardless, they kept cards close to the chest.
“The committee is not at liberty to comment,” they responded.
Another official said they were not concerned as being represented by six delegates was a norm.
“It is not the first time this happens as even in the previous elections, we sent six delegates. We do not have any concerns as we will select those to represent us in the elections. It is a norm that in every statutes meeting, we send six,” the official said.
On the other hand, chairmen from the PLE and four regions are exempted from exercising their rights to vote by virtue of being part of the EFA Executive Committee as confirmed by article 27(4) of the Statutes.
Full article available in our paper.
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