Zakhele calls off athletics’ AGM
MANZINI – Drama unfolded as Athletics Eswatini (AE) President Zakhele Dlamini called off the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The meeting was held at the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) Manzini premises yesterday, with over 10 clubs in attendance. Just before the agenda started, the president asked if there were any pressing matters to address before proceeding.
The meeting suggested starting with item (f), the consideration of club proposals. This is where the drama began; leading to the adjournment of the meeting after the teams and president could not reach an agreement.
The president decided to call off the meeting after the members insisted on sticking to the club proposals and highlighting some pressing issues, including the suspension of Manzini Athletics Club Coach Muzi Mabuza, who was excused from the meeting and observed proceedings from outside the boardroom.
The president insisted that this matter should not be deliberated on since there was an appeal at World Athletics. Former Athletics President Gideon Mthembu stated that there was no matter pending before the World Athletics and, thus believed they should deliberate on this issue, saying World Athletics would be pleased if they resolved this matter before taking it to court.
CONCERNS
Mthembu said he believed the ruling passed on Mabuza was from a kangaroo court and should be deliberated in the AGM. The president said while members could voice their concerns, they should follow the agenda as these matters might arise during the course of the meeting. However, the members did not heed his advice. He said he would not respond to this matter and as chairman of the meeting, he would be forced to call off the meeting, which led to members shouting and stating that the president was running the sport as his own and they would not allow him to call off the meeting.
Another speaker said they would pass a vote of no confidence in the president if he did that and appealed to him to hear what the members wanted to discuss. Zithande Athletics Club Coach Nsizwa Thwala said it was disappointing that after three hours, they had failed to have a meaningful discussion during the AGM.
He said the AGM resembled a court scenario as they should be discussing how to improve the sport.
Dlamini said it was clear that the meeting was not interested in the AGM as they kept raising their hands and not following the agenda. “It seems like you have your own motive. In an AGM, there is a way to lead it and we are failing to follow the agenda and address each matter as it comes. We are failing to align ourselves with the constitution and I have to call off this meeting,” said Dlamini.
Immediately after calling off the meeting, Mthembu said they would inform World Athletics or the courts that the meeting was bunked by the chairman. “He was putting words in people’s mouths, saying that he was ruling. We want the meeting, we want clear ground, to take off properly. We are the owners of athletics, you are making it seem like Zakhele owns the sport,” alleged Mthembu.
WRONG
He said what the president did was wrong and they did not have confidence in Zakhele’s office and he was not sure what they would do next. Asked for comment after the meeting, Dlamini said, “We did not discuss any of the items because members decided to deviate from the agenda. They should have waited for the president’s remarks or secretary’s reports and anything could have arisen there and we could have addressed matters there. It is wrong to proceed with the AGM when they are deviating from the agenda.”
When asked whether it was his decision to open the can of worms, he stated that it is the duty of the chairman to listen to what is on the minds of the attendees, ensure that their input aligns with the meeting agenda, and maintain the distinction between regular meetings, extraordinary meetings, and AGMs, each with its own agenda. As chair, he asserted that if it becomes evident that the meetings are becoming messed up, it is his responsibility to adjourn the meeting, as it indicates that the participants do not wish to proceed.
He also mentioned that if issues arise, there are other entities that can intervene, and emphasised that this AGM should adhere to the agenda outlined in the constitution. When pressed for further clarification, he indicated that another meeting would need to be called to gauge the members’ readiness to address these issues.