MBABANE – They will face the wrath of the law.
This follows Mbabane Highlanders’ unsporting behaviour which was witnessed at Mavuso Sports Centre on Sunday when they played Nsingizini Hotspurs. The game was abandoned at 91 minutes following Highlanders fans invading the pitch and assaulting the referee and throwing missiles.
The ‘Black Bull,’ presided over by South Africa’s businesswoman Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize since July 12, 2025, now finds themselves in hot water, as the Ingwenyama Cup rules dictate strict liability for the actions of their supporters. The stakes were incredibly high for this Last 16 encounter, as both teams were battling for a spot in the next round to stay in the hunt for the massive E1.45 million first prize.
According to the tournament’s disciplinary framework, the club is set to be hit with a barrage of charges that could see their finances severely depleted. The potential charge sheet includes several serious offences: Pitch invasion, the assault or attempted assault of match officials and the throwing of missiles onto the field of play. Furthermore, because the chaos led to the match being called off while the team was trailing 1-0, they face the ultimate penalty for causing match abandonment.
In a compressed version of the legal storm ahead, the club is likely to be charged with bringing the game of football and its sponsors into disrepute, a charge that alone carries a heavy financial weight. When combined with the failures to protect officials and the unsporting gestures witnessed by the crowd, the total maximum potential fine for the capital giants reaches a staggering E125 000. Beyond the money, the rules stipulate that Highlanders will automatically lose the match and may face further sanctions, including the suspension of specific officials or players involved in the fracas, if they found guilty.
List of Potential Maximum Charges
Bringing Football into Disrepute: E50 000
Causing Match Abandonment: E20 000
Assaulting or Threatening Match Officials: E15 000
Pitch Invasion by Supporters: E10 000
Throwing Objects or Missiles: E10 000
Unsporting Behaviour/Provocative Gestures: E10 000
Failure to Protect Match Officials: E10 000
TOTAL MAXIMUM POTENTIAL FINES: E125 000
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