Mbabane Highlanders are facing serious disciplinary action and a potentially massive penalty following the violent scenes that unfolded at Mavuso Sports Centre last Sunday.
The club has been formally charged in connection with the chaos that led to the abandonment of their Ingwenyama Cup match against Nsingizini Hotspurs.
The capital city side will now appear before the EFA Disciplinary Committee after an investigation by the Ingwenyama Cup Management Committee found them responsible for three major offences.
The fixture, which was expected to be a showcase of top domestic football, descended into disorder marked by pitch invasions, physical assaults and even gunfire.
The charges were confirmed this week after what sources described as a swift but thorough probe into the incident. A well-placed insider revealed that the Management Committee had completed its findings and submitted them to the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) for further action.
“The MC finalised their investigation and handed over their findings and recommendations to the PLE. Highlanders will face three charges which include failure to control their fans, assaulting the referee and causing abandonment of the match,” said the source.
According to the investigation report, the club allegedly failed to control its supporters, resulting in a volatile pitch invasion. During the unrest, match officials were reportedly assaulted, forcing the game to halt.
The abandonment of the match has further compounded the seriousness of the situation.
If found guilty, Mbabane Highlanders could face fines exceeding E100 000 under the Ingwenyama Cup Rules and Regulations.
The charge of assaulting a match official is considered particularly grave and often carries the heaviest penalty, as authorities aim to deter any form of violence against referees.
The additional counts of causing the abandonment of a match and failing to control supporters also carry significant sanctions.
The violence extended beyond typical football crowd trouble. A shooting incident during the chaos heightened fear among spectators and players, while several arrests were made as law enforcement worked to restore order.
As the football community awaits the official disciplinary hearing, Mbabane Highlanders must now prepare a defence against the evidence gathered.
Mbabane Highlanders Public Relations Officer Zwide Nxumalo confirmed they had received the charges, though he said he was not yet aware of their full extent.
“I am aware that the club has been charged but I do not know the full extent or contents of the charge sheet. I am on my way to meet with the club management to discuss a way forward,” he said.
Nxumalo added that the club would only react after reviewing the charges.
PLE CEO Petros Vilakati confirmed that the capital city giants had been charged, adding that they were not the only side to face the disciplinary committee.
“Yes Highlanders have been charged but they are not the only ones. Mbabane Swallows, Green Mamba, Tambankulu Celtics and Young Buffaloes have also been handed their charges. The clubs are expected to appear before the DC tomorrow (today),” he said.
