MKOKO, NCOBILE CO-OPTED TO AE BOARD

EZULWINI – Following a directive from the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Athletics Eswatini (AE) President Zakhele Dlamini has co-opted two members into the board.

Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation’s (RESCorp) Secretary General (SG) Sifiso Mkoko was co-opted as the Vice President. Meanwhile, Correctional Athletics Club’s Treasure Ncobile Dlamini was co-opted in the position of the gender and equality. Dlamini announced the latest developments yesterday at Happy Valley Hotel and Casino, after the launch of the sixth edition of Imbube Marathon yesterday.

The duo filled the position of Sipho Vilakati and Sanele Manana, who resigned in March, along with additional member Zabenguni Mkhatshwa. Dlamini said, he would not appoint the additional member but will be elected by the board in their first meeting as per the dictates of the constitution.

He further said the co-option he made was done so that the board could meet and take decision. “CAA’s directive based it on the spirit of our constitution because it is our constitution that says if there is vacancy that exists among the board, the board may co-opt. The only problem we had the remaining members did not form quorum and couldn’t do as expected as per the constitution,” Dlamini further said.

He said it is also stipulated in the AE’s doctrine that everybody has to comply with decisions or policies of the governing body in Africa. “ESRC is aware of the directive and it’s very clear that if persist with infighting after this decision, they stated that they will consider the membership of Eswatini which means suspension in all athletics activities in the world,” he said. He said the board will convene a meeting, after then its sensitisation to update the members on the latest developments. In letter dated July 2, CAA directed Dlamini to co-opt three members to fill the vacancy in the executive board.

AE’s board had only the president and Treasurer Bongani Ntshalintshali after the three members resigned. CAA says they met on June 20 and discussed the crisis with the athletics body in Eswatini, where even the World Athletics (WA) was in attendance of the meeting. “Given the current context of the crisis within Eswatini Athletics where there were no real issues said to have been committed by the president or the board and considering the recommendations of the CAA mission, conducted to Athletics Eswatini during the period in which the National Sports Council and National Olympic Committee were also consulted. Having regard to the resolutions of the council after examination of the report of the CAA Mission to Eswatini,” it was then resolved that Dlamini must co-opt the members.

“The current President of Eswatini Athletics is directed to co-opt members to fill-up the vacant positions as per the spirit of the federation’s Constitution in Article 21.7 to serve until the end of term of office,” reads an extract from the letter. It also says all members are expected to respect leadership and uphold the constitution of the AE, failure of which the CAA will review its membership in line with WA regulations to member federation.

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