MBABANE – The governance shambles at Mbabane Swallows Football Club descended into a full-blown fracas on TV.
This was during Thursday’s People and Places programme on Channel YemaSwati, as factions vying for control of the club unleashed a barrage of insults and threats. What began as an attempt to resolve the leadership crisis spiralled into the likeness of a pitch-side squabble, with guests teetering on the brink of violence.
Hosted by station director Chawe Mamba from 9pm to 10pm, the programme aimed to douse the flames of discord engulfing the capital giants side. In attendance were Mfakazeleni Gwebu and Vusi Sibisi, representing Swallows PTY Ltd on behalf of Princess Lungile and Welile Mabuza, Absalom Ngwenya, Robert Magongo, Ab Dlamini and Mncobi Vilakati, defending the interests of Swallows FC. The discussion, intended to untangle the club’s ownership dispute—whether it operates as a company (PTY Ltd) or a football association—ignited a firestorm of accusations.
Mamba opened by framing the crisis: A bitter feud between factions claiming the soul of Swallows FC or Pty.
Vusi Sibisi, a former administrator from 2002–2004, took the floor, his voice heavy with dismay. “I’m gutted that Swallows is torn by two factions. It was a unified club back then,” Sibisi declared, tracing the club’s evolution. He recounted how Swallows, once a proving ground for schoolboy talent, sought to transform into a company to safeguard its investments. “We met at MDS to form a company, as rival clubs were snapping up our players on the cheap. It didn’t happen overnight, but I’m gobsmacked they now claim to run the club. Who handed them the reins?” he demanded.
Robert Magongo, representing Swallows FC, countered with steely resolve. “We’ve never disputed it’s a company. We demand clarity—do they represent the PTY or the football club?” Magongo insisted. Sibisi, undeterred, jabbed back, pointing out Magongo’s past role. “Magongo was a director of the company. How can he deny it? The PTY was meant to steer Swallows FC. When did they decide the club doesn’t belong to the PTY?” he challenged.
Mfakazeleni Gwebu, also speaking for the PTY, escalated the row, questioning the legitimacy of the FC faction’s claims. “What are they denying? Gamedze said it had to be a company to compete in CAF. Who switched the papers from a company to an association? We supporters haven’t been told,” Gwebu thundered, branding the leadership’s narrative ‘a shameful charade.’ He demanded transparency on the club’s gaffer and squad, accusing the FC faction of mismanaging the club into oblivion.
Welile Mabuza, a staunch defender of Swallows FC, sought to restore order. “We can’t dodge the fact that Swallows has two entities. Swallows FC, with Absalom Ngwenya as president, is an association. Wonder Nhleko leads the PTY,” Mabuza clarified. He stressed that football clubs must affiliate to PLE to have a licence to partake in the season. “Since 2016, it’s been Swallows FC. The PTY has never held a playing licence. We’re ready for the season with a licence, players and a technical bench,” he asserted.
Mncobi Vilakati bolstered Mabuza’s stance, dissecting the PTY’s role. “The PTY’s purpose doesn’t dismantle Swallows FC. It can generate funds to support the club. Look at armed forces clubs—they’re associations, not corporations,” Vilakati argued, urging a clear distinction between commercial and competitive structures.
The atmosphere grew combustible as Sibisi unleashed a scathing attack. “They’ve reduced Swallows to a street beggar, a milking ticket for their own gain. No one challenged Gamedze when he was alive, but now they’ve scarpered. The PTY empowers the FC, yet they resist handing the club back to supporters,” Sibisi roared, citing Princess Lungile’s call to return the club to its fan base.
Princess Lungile loomed large in the debate calling the studio during the programme. “I’ve been hands-on. It’s excruciating—we poured E10 million into Swallows in 2018, only to be met with vitriol,” she reportedly vowed, promising to clarify matters if invited. She questioned those of FC how much they have invested into the team.
Ab Dlamini, however, dismissed her claims with scorn. “The club won E8 million, and Gamedze added a pittance. This is cheap talk. Princess Lungile always systemically stirs up noise and it is the same reason we were surrendered the top and also lost players to other teams. We missed on winning the league because of these disruptive cheap talks last season,” Dlamini retorted.
Gwebu intensified the onslaught, demanding the FC faction’s resignation. “They’ve run the club for seven years now. Why are players jumping ship? If there’s no cash, why cling to power?” he bellowed, accusing them of squandering the club’s legacy.
Absalom Ngwenya lashed out at Gwebu: “I won’t parley with the likes of Gwebu. I’m known for sorting out those who disrespect me,” Ngwenya warned, his threat hanging heavy in the studio. Gwebu stood firm: “I’m not intimidated. I’ll walk home unscathed.”
The tension peaked when Magongo raised an alarm. “People are saying Gwebu’s in danger. He needs protection,” Magongo cautioned. Mamba swiftly intervened, promising police escorts for Gwebu, who dismissed the threats with defiance. “Let’s not sow fear among ourselves,” Gwebu declared.
Supporters flooded the phone lines, venting their fury. Dlovu from Endlaleni pleaded for Princess Lungile to join the talks, while Ndzinisa from Nhlambeni demanded the FC faction step aside. “They’re elders; they’ve played their part,” Ndzinisa said. An anonymous caller, a fan since 1980, accused PTY of being ‘disruptive vultures feeding off the club.’
Mabuza invoked the biblical tale of King Solomon from 1 Kings 3:16-28, where two women claimed a child and Solomon proposed dividing it to reveal the true mother’s love. “Some want to protect the child—Swallows FC—while others want it torn apart,” Mabuza said, urging dialogue. He clarified that after Victor Gamedze’s death the club operated as an association, not a PTY, and was never part of his estate.
The programme ended at a stalemate. Sibisi lamented: “We’ve achieved nothing. We need transparency and accountability to mend fences.” Gwebu echoed: “Supporters were silenced. They scuppered our meeting.” Magongo called for respectful talks, while Ngwenya admitted: “We couldn’t have a proper conversation with these people.” Dlamini invited fans to witness the club’s preparations, denying ownership ties to Gamedze.
Mabuza concluded that the PTY operates outside football’s regulatory framework, with one faction gearing up for the season and the other sowing discord. It was announced that Princess Lungile will appear on next week’s programme to tackle the crisis head-on.
(L-R) Mbabane Swallows Acting President Absalom Ngwenya with Governor Welile Mabuza joined by Programme host Qhawe Mamba. (Pic: Screenshot/Channel YemaSwati)