MBABANE – Their league form may be stuttering, but Mbabane Swallows FC had every reason to celebrate yesterday.
This follows a major court victory that brought temporary relief to a turbulent season. Fresh from two back-to-back league defeats – 1-0 to Ezulwini United and 2-0 to Rangers – and sitting mid-table in the 16-team standings, the red and white faithful found something to lift their spirits as the High Court ruled in favour of the Swallows FC faction who have been at the helm of the team.
For months, fears had lingered that the club’s season could be thrown into disarray after Mbabane Swallows (Pty) Ltd vowed to take legal action to establish what they called ‘rightful ownership’ of the team.
ndeed, just before the start of the 2025/26 campaign – on October 1, the same day Swallows lost their opener 1-0 to Green Mamba – the Pty launched a High Court application challenging control of the club. Yesterday, that long-running battle took a decisive turn.
The leadership dispute, first brought before the courts about a month ago, has pitted Mbabane Swallows (Pty) Ltd against the Mbabane Swallows FC association, with both sides insisting they are the legitimate custodians of the club. The public gallery was packed, supporters from both factions squeezed into every available space, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and anticipation.
When Judge Zonke Magagula finally delivered his ruling, the courtroom fell into a deep hush. In a calm but firm tone, he declared that the Pty had failed to provide proof that it owned the club.
“The application is dismissed. Reasons will follow; Pty have failed to prove ownership of the club.”
Throughout the hearing, the Pty’s legal team argued that the late Victor Gamedze had run the club through a company structure, and that Princess Lungile Gamedze – listed as director – subsequently took over. They accused the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) and Eswatini Football Association (EFA) of withholding documents and acting as though the club belonged to the association.
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