Anthony, Musa nominated
MBABANE – The country’s football coaches have faith in their current leadership.
This is more so because ahead of t heir Electoral Assembly on July 31 at Sigwaca House, Sheffield Road in the capital city, the Eswatini Football Association ( EFA) Ethics Committee announced t he nominees for both coaches and referees who are also having elections in the annual assembly this year.
Wit h t h e c o a c h e s , c u r r e n t President Anthony Mdluli, who is also with the national team Sihlangu Semnikati technical b e n c h , a n d Se c r e t a r y Musa Mamba have been nominated u n c h a l l e n g e d . Th i s was o n Wednesday at Sigwaca House.
This effectively means Mdluli and Mamba have already retained their positions in the Es wat i n i F o o t b a l l Coa c h e s As s o c i a t i o n ( E F CA) whi l e with the referees nothing much f r o m what was r e p o r t e d b y Eswatini News two weeks ago that former Premier League of Eswatini ( PLE) CEO Simanga Nhleko was in the running for the Eswatini Referees Association ( ERA) and some withdrawals by some nominees.
Announcing t he nominees was the Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Senior Magistrate Siphosini Dlamini alongside L u k e S h o n g we , who i s t h e committee’s secretary.
Process
“I t i s c ommon c our s e t hat the Ethics Committee was appointed as per Article 64 of the Eswatini Football Association ( EFA) Statutes, read together with the EFA Electoral Code of 2021, which among other things to do is; Supervise and ensure the smooth running of the electoral process in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Statutes and Electoral Code,’’ Dlamini said.
Article 64 of t he EFA Statutes, f urther says t he Ethics Committee is allowed to strictly enforce the statutory deadlines for election and provide to the Members as well as to relevant authorities, however where necessary, the media and the public.
According t o t he Chairperson, the Electoral process for both the EFCA and ERA started off by the submission of the list of nominees. “The next process was to check the eligibility of the entire nominated candidates as per Article 7 and 8 of t he Electoral Code of 2021 and l astly t he official announcement of nominees.
“Today ( last Wednesday), as per Article 10, is the due publication of the nominees who have been confirmed as having passed the eligibility criteria f or t he r e s pect i ve posi t i ons nominated for. It is important to mention at this point that all nominees passed the prerequisite criteria for both EFCA and ERA,” Dlamini said.
The ERA nominees will be voted for in the following pos i t i ons; t he Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary General, Vice Secretary General, Treasurer and Members.
Meanwhile, in the EFCA positions t hat will be voted for i ncl ude t he posi t i ons of t he Ch a i r man , Vi c e Ch a i r man , Secretary General, Vice Secretary General, Treasurer and Members.
NOMINEES FOR POSITIONS IN EFCA AND ERA;
EFCA NOMINEES:
Chairman – Anthony Mdluli
Vice Chairman – Mphumelelo P. Ngwenya and Raymond B. Dlamini
Secretary General – Emmanuel M. Mamba
Vice Secretary General – Thembela P. Dlamini, and VusisizweMahlalela
Treasurer – Dominic K. Kunene
Members – Vusisizwe Mahlalela, James M. Kunene, Mfanasibili Khumalo and Mphumelelo P. Ngwenya
ERA nominees:
Chairman - Jabulani Motsa, Sabelo M. Kunene, Simanga P. Nhleko and Bhekisisa I. Mkhabela
The s eni or magistrate f urt her urged both associations to submit their official lists of delegates by 5pm next Monday.
“The Ethics Committee hereby notifies nominees that there will be no campaigns and thus any form of campaigns for all positions is strictly prohibited, whether those acts done directly by the nominees or indirectly by their purported agents,’’ he said.
T h e c h a i r p e r s o n s a i d t h e nominees had the right to submit complaints, in respect of Art i c l e 58 of FI FA Code of Ethics. “With respect to filing of complaints, as per Article 58 FIFA Code of Ethics, any person may f i l e a complaint regarding potential breaches of the Electoral Code with the secretariat of the investigatory chambers,’’ Dlamini said.
He further said complaints must be submitted in writing, including evidence if available.
Venue
The elections for the Eswatini Football Coaches Association will be held on July 31, 2021 at Sigwaca House, while those for ERA will be held on August 1 at a venue yet to be announced.
“The Committee wishes t o assure the public of its commitment to hold a free and fair election which promotes principles of transparency without any conflict of interest,’’ the chairperson said.
The nominees and all interested parties were further urged to familiarise themselves with both the Electoral Code as well as t he Elections Regulations Guidelines 2021 issued by the Ethics Committee.
Dlamini added that the committee reiterated that; candidates s hall not accept, give, offer, promise, receive, request or solicit any personal or undue pecuniary or other advantage in pursuance of the gaining an advantage in the elections. The candidates were also informed to refrain from soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate.
Vice Chairman – Mbongiseni E. Fakudze and Bongizwe K. Mkhatshwa
Secretary General – Mbongiseni V. Shongwe and Mandla I Gama
Vice Secretary General – Mandla I. Gama, Banele V. Nhlengetfwa, Thembisile P. Mathonsi, Lungile P. Nxumalo, Jabulani Motsa and Tammy Ginindza ( withdrew)
Treasurer – Mandla I. Gama, Enock S. Silenge and Phinda M. Dlamini
Members – Thembisile P. Mathonsi, Luck M. Ndlangamandla, Thulani D. Nkonyane and Phinda M. Ndzimandze, Celumusa S. Malinga, Lybnar S. Sibiya and Buyisile Mkhaliphi ( withdrew)