DEFEATED MP CANDIDATE WANTS SOCCER JERSEYS BACK

BY JOSEPH ZULU

PIGG’S PEAK – In an unusual turn of events that may shock campaign agents, a former parliamentary candidate, who did not win the race, wants the soccer jerseys he donated back.

Nhlanganiso Pat Mamba, who was a candidate representing Mashobeni North under Timphisini Inkhundla, is demanding that a man he had assigned to help him campaign, Jealous ‘Mjele’ Shongwe, should bring back the jerseys which were donated to his soccer teams.

The soccer jerseys were given to Zamalek and Blue Birds football clubs which both play under Timphisini.
Shongwe was initially also a competitor under the same umphakatsi during the Primary Elections but he lost out when businessman Mamba obtained the most votes.

“It was the third time I lost in the Primary Elections,” said Shongwe, who added that it had become a norm for him to lose.
Shongwe said Mamba then approached him, seeking to be assisted in campaigning around Mashobeni North.
Mamba was one of the candidates competing with Jennifer Du Pont, Sipho Ndwandwe and Malombo Mamba.

Shongwe said Mamba asked him to speak to some of the people in his community, particularly soccer players, to vote for him.
He said he then told Mamba that he could arrange a day for him to meet with the soccer players so that he could speak to them.
According to Shongwe, Mamba then delivered the jerseys which were 29, for the two teams.

Shongwe said according to his understanding, Mamba’s gesture was taken as a gift to the community.
He said he was shocked to hear that Mamba now wanted the jerseys returned to him yet they had already been given to the players.
“They have already used the jerseys and it is against our culture to take clothes which someone has already worn,” said Shongwe.

He said the players would not agree to let anyone take the jerseys away from them.
Shongwe is also the manager of both Blue Birds and Zamalek teams.
Bonginkosi ‘Khakha’ Khanyile, the coach for Blue Birds was also shocked to hear that his team had to give back the jerseys.
“How will I explain this to the boys?” asked Khanyile.

In his version, Khanyile said Mamba delivered the jerseys to the teams in the presence of Shongwe.
Khanyile insisted that his team would not give back the jerseys because they had already used them.
Mamba is alleged to have sent some people to fetch the jerseys but they were allegedly intimidated, resulting in him suggesting that they be delivered at Mashobeni North Umphakatsi.

Jamuludi Matsaba, the Indvuna at Mashobeni North Umphakatsi, when reached for comment, said he was aware of the matter.
Matsaba said Shongwe had approached the chief’s kraal and reported the incident which led to the two being called to discuss the matter.
He said both Shongwe and Mamba were at the umphakatsi last Saturday and were advised that the chiefdom should not be involved in their matter because it was an agreement between the two of them.
Matsaba said he only heard about the incident after being contacted by Shongwe.
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