MANZINI – A dramatic turn of events at the Manzini Regional Football Association (MRFA) annual general meeting has led to its postponement.
Reports indicate the association has incurred a loss of an estimated E27 000 as a result. The annual general meeting (AGM), held at Caritas Hall in Manzini, was cut short shortly after Chairman Vusie Hall began his address, when two executive members, Zwelethu Dladla and Mancoba Mahlindza, raised their hands simultaneously.
This action reportedly caused a split in the room, with some delegates expressing dissatisfaction, while others felt the men should be given the opportunity to air their views.
Sources claimed that Dladla was eventually allowed to speak but was cut short after he began to challenge some of the points in Hall’s address. It is further alleged that Mahlindza, after a period of holding up his hand, stood and grabbed a microphone. Before he could say a word, Hall took it back, prompting a walkout by a portion of the attendees.
With a number of delegates having left the venue, it was deemed impossible to continue the meeting. About E1 500 had been spent on the venue and sound system, while an additional E24 000 was used for catering.
The incident is said to be an after-effect of the recent Eswatini Football Association (EFA) elective Ordinary General Assembly (OGA). Ahead of the national elections, Hall had revealed that his committee was divided between candidates Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane and Mashumi Shongwe.
Simelane went on to win the presidency for a second term with a 27-21 victory against Shongwe. The two men were notably absent from a recent Kwaluseni Promotional League prize presentation sponsored by OK Foods and are alleged to have missed several other events hosted by the office.
Dladla, one of the two executive members involved, has since come forward, stating that his actions were solely intended to assist the chairman.
“Reports suggesting that we are divided because of EFA elections are far from the truth. The MRFA nominated Shongwe, but Simelane won and we are fully behind him. Division is everywhere and as an office we will resolve our differences,” he said. “In my opinion, the meeting would not have been aborted if Hall had given me a chance to speak freely. Yes, he did, but I was cut short. I wanted to help him correct something from his well-written speech.”
Dladla further explained that the chairman’s address contained an inaccurate figure for funds allegedly misappropriated by a former official.
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