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JOHN MAZIBUKO DIES OF COVID-19

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MBABANE – The cruel hands of COVID-19 have struck the local football fraternity. 

This is after devastating news yesterday that former Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John Mazibuko had passed away. 

It has been gathered that Mazibuko, who served diligently as PLE CEO, passed away due to COVID-19 complications at 5:45pm while admitted at Mbabane Clinic on Wednesday.

His son, Dumisani, confirmed the sad news yesterday, further asserting that his father died of COVID-19-related complications.

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“Yes, I can confirm that my father has passed away due to COVID-19. He was admitted to Mbabane Clinic and lost his life at 5:45pm yesterday (Wednesday). We are devastated as a family and trying to come to terms with the sad loss,” he said in an understandably sombre tone. 

The young Mazibuko further mentioned that arrangements were being made for the funeral to take place on Sunday.

“Due to the COVID-19 regulations, arrangements are being made by the family to have the funeral on Sunday but this is subject to confirmation,” he said. 

Sought for comment, PLE Chief Operations Officer (COO) Pat Vilakati also confirmed these developments.

“We have been informed of the sad news by the Mazibuko family and we are at a loss for words because we have lost a great man. We worked with him at the PLE for sometime and he played a major role in transforming the organisation when he was still CEO. He was very informed when it came to administrative issues and his death is a big blow for us,” Vilakati said. The PLE COO also conceded that despite leaving his CEO position, Mazibuko was always available to assist where needed. 

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“He may have not been part of the staff at the PLE, but we always consulted him for assistance because we valued his experience and knowledge of office administration. We hope God will comfort his family during these sad times and may his soul rest in peace,” Vilakati said.

Mazibuko has been involved in not just football administration but tennis as well. 

He was once a tennis player before being elected into the administrative structures where he served for a number of years. His introduction to football was at Mbabane Swallows, where he served in the management structures, managing the likes of Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze who was to later become his boss at the PLE. 

(Read Mazibuko’s moving special tribute by Sports Editor Lwazi Dlamini on Page 53) 

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