advertisement
advertisement
By Jongile Xuba | 2024-11-17
SOCCER - MBABANE Swallows has become the latest top team to face scrutiny over a dispute with players, as unresolved salary issues have pushed players to seek intervention from the Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC).
This development follows a similar case involving cross-town rivals Mbabane Highlanders, whose players recently petitioned the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) for assistance regarding unpaid wages. Unlike Highlanders, Swallows players have opted to escalate their grievances to CMAC, filing formal complaints over their September and October salaries.
The players submitted their papers to CMAC on Thursday, seeking relief over the contractual disputes. A pre-conciliation meeting was scheduled for yesterday morning at the CMAC offices in Mbabane. However, the club’s representatives failed to attend, delaying the resolution process.
Swallows Public Relations Officer (PRO) Knowledge ‘Bhambo’ Ngwenya confirmed that they had received the letter to pre-conciliation, and their legal team was still looking over the documents and working on the matter.
“The club has received the letter from CMAC, and currently our legal team is working on the matter. We will provide an update in due course,” he said.
In addition to the CMAC intervention, the players drafted a letter reaching out to the PLE through a formal letter highlighting several issues.
These include the neglect of injured players including Given Lukhele and Sizolwethu Shabalala who allegedly lack the adequate support for their injuries.
One of the key concerns raised in the players’ letter to the PLE was the unclear status of the club's ownership.
They allege that management has failed to clarify why former president Bishop Lukhele ceased his support, a decision that has reportedly left the club in turmoil. The players are urging the PLE to intervene and address their grievances with the management committee.
Despite promises of payment and a reported change in ownership announced on November 8, the players claim their financial situation remains dire.
Another concern was their living conditions, in that they claimed that the club house had no electricity, and the team bus was unroadworthy due to faulty brakes.
The players had previously threatened to vacate the club house due to the poor living conditions but reconsidered following assurances of a leadership overhaul and salary payments. However, frustrations have mounted as these promises remain unfulfilled.
The plight of Swallows’ players underscores a worrying trend in Eswatini football, where financial instability wasincreasingly pushing players to seek external intervention.
As the saga unfolds, the focus remains on whether Mbabane Swallows will resolve the grievances amicably or face further sanctions that could impact the club’s standing in local football.
share story
Post Your Comments Below
SOCCER- IN the midst of managerial predicaments faced by capital city giants Mbabane Highlanders ...
SOCCER - MBABANE Swallows has become the latest top team to face scrutiny over a dispute with pla...
THE National Arts and Culture Awards (NACAs) in Eswatini announced a generous E500 000 donation f...
Fraud is a phenomenon that has devastating effects which include loss of personal and organisatio...
All material © Swazi Observer. Material may not be published or reproduced in any form without prior written permission.
Design by Real Image Internet
