Times Of Swaziland: UN-COMFORT-ABLE AT ‘BIRDS’

UN-COMFORT-ABLE AT ‘BIRDS’
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BY CHRIS DLAMINI on 12/07/2019 03:58:00


MBABANE – He was allegedly getting mystery calls and threats but for the value
of his life and family, he has stepped down as Mbabane Swallows’ Public
Relations Officer (PRO).
That is recently-appointed Swallows PRO Comfort ‘Hlasela’ Shongwe. He was
given the position by Princess Lungile (Make Gamedze) a few weeks ago when the
club announced an interim Management Committee. Swallows had suddenly seen their
MC resign following month-long allegations of players’ transfer funds abuse.
The resigned MC included long-serving officials and legends in the likes of
Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane and Lloyd ‘Magic Feet’ Maziya, to name a
few.
“I just texted the elders and informed them of my decision to step down. This
is not because the people who appointed me have done anything bad but it’s for
my life and family as I was getting called by people who made threats,”
responded Shongwe, when he was called for another issue about Swallows regarding
players’ salaries for last month, which were reportedly unpaid.
Seeing that he was not ready to address the red and white outfit side’s issues
as he had decided to abandon his post, Shongwe was then asked about his
decision.
suffer
“I don’t want to suffer. I have a family and I value my life for them. I
have reported my decision, the threats to the team officials and Make is aware
as well. These threats come in a way that someone will call and say ‘This is
their thing and I know about it. They come too far with the team. I must leave
before I get hurt’ and I can’t live with that,” Shongwe claimed.
He said he had not one doubt that Make Gamedze trusted him for the job and knows
she still does but this was about his life.
“I thank her for the trust she’s shown to me but I believe I must let
Swallows people resolve their issues without me being in it.
It’s always been my wish to work for the country’s three big teams being
Swallows, Highlanders and Wanderers but when I thought I had achieved that, it
turned out it wasn’t yet time,” he said, while adding that he had not
involved the police yet as he believes Swallows people know the other.
loves
He said he had nothing against anyone at Swallows and loves and respects the
club which has achieved even in Africa. He said perhaps one day when the time is
right, he would return to serve the club.
“May God bless Make Gamedze and give her strength to lead Swallows while she
also gets the support from the supporters and her management. It is also my
prayer that the Swallows family comes together in these hard times and be
united, sing one song, same tune and not allow the enemy to break them,” he
added while also wishing all the big three clubs a successful Eswatini Telecom
Charity Cup on August 11.
Meanwhile, Shongwe had not even done much for Swallows in the position as he
often avoided finding himself commenting on their matters which had been nothing
but sensitive for the past two months. The club’s MC Chairman, Khaya Vilakati,
confirmed Shongwe’s decision but said they were yet to sit down with him and
then call a press conference today to address several issues, including the
players’ salaries.