Mbabane Highlanders mounted a spirited defence during the second day of the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Disciplinary Committee hearing at Sigwaca House, arguing that internal factions and outside agitators, not their genuine supporters, were responsible for the chaos that marred their Ingwenyama Cup clash against Nsingizini Hotspurs.
The disciplinary sitting, chaired by Thulani Sibandze, stretched for more than three hours as the club fought to distance itself from the violence that erupted at Mavuso Sports Centre on February 22.
Highlanders Media and Communications Officer Sifiso ‘Zwide’ Ndwandwe took the stand as the second witness, relying heavily on a digital presentation of video and photographic evidence to support the club’s claim that the attackers were not part of their official rank and file.
Ndwandwe told the committee that the individuals who stormed the pitch and assaulted referee Celumusa Siphepho were members of disruptive factions that have long plagued the club.
Using specific video clips, he pointed out that the perpetrators were not wearing any Highlanders replica jerseys when they carried out the assault following Nsingizini’s late goal.
“These people were not dressed in Highlanders regalia. They were not part of our organised supporters,” Ndwandwe submitted during the hearing.
To support the narrative of internal instability, the club entered several newspaper articles from the Saturday Observer and Sunday Observer as Exhibit B, in which General Manager Richard Makhoba had previously highlighted factional tensions within the club.
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This was supplemented by Exhibit D, a letter written by Makhoba to the PLE on November 25, formally requesting the league’s intervention to resolve disputes that had begun spilling over into match days.
During his presentation, Ndwandwe highlighted four specific incidents that he argued created a tinderbox atmosphere. These included an egg thrown towards the Highlanders goalposts, an alleged foreign substance carried by Nsingizini striker Senzo Ndlovu, a denied penalty appeal in the final minutes, and the eventual assault on Siphepho.
He further shared footage of Highlanders’ own security personnel attempting to restrain the crowd, arguing that the club had taken reasonable steps to prevent the pitch invasion before it spiralled out of control.
The testimony also touched on pre-existing animosity between the teams. Ndwandwe recalled a previous MTN Premier League encounter at King Sobhuza II Stadium, where he alleged he was manhandled by individuals linked to Nsingizini, some reportedly carrying firearms, resulting in the destruction of his camera equipment.
Highlanders captain Ndumiso ‘Ndura’ Mabuza also appeared before the committee, turning the focus toward the standard of officiating.
Mabuza criticised the referee’s match report as incomplete, claiming it omitted several grievances he raised during play, including the alleged foreign substance and the egg thrown at the goal area.
The defender maintained that the eruption of violence was a direct reaction to what he perceived as biased decision-making.
“In my belief, the violence on the day was caused by the referee not being fair,” Mabuza told the committee.
“We were supposed to get a penalty but the decision was against us and Nsingizini went on to score.”
The match in question was halted in the 91st minute after Nsingizini defender Luyanda Nhlengetfwa scored a spectacular long-range goal to take a 1–0 lead.
The ensuing pitch invasion saw match officials run for cover, eventually requiring a police escort to safety as the stadium descended into turmoil.
The case, prosecuted by Sibusiso Manda on behalf of the PLE, is now reaching its final stages.
Both the PLE and Mbabane Highlanders are expected to file their written arguments by Monday, with the matter set to resume on Tuesday, when the committee will deliberate on whether the club should be held legally responsible for the abandonment of the match.
Key Match Incident
– Match: Mbabane Highlanders vs Nsingizini Hotspurs
– Competition: Ingwenyama Cup
– Venue: Mavuso Sports Centre
– Minute of Incident: 91st minute
– Trigger: Goal by Luyanda Nhlengetfwa (Nsingizini)
– Outcome: Pitch invasion and referee assault
