PATRICK KUNENE DISQUALIFIED

MANZINI – Former National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) president Patrick Kunene was yesterday disqualified from the dramatic Manzini Regional Football Association (MRFA) elections at the Prince Mfanyana Hall.

Kunene, who had one of the shortest reigns in the history of the local game as chief of the football mother body between 2001 and 2003, had been nominated to contest for the chairmanship position alongside Normalisation Committee Chairman Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane, former Secretary Petros Vilakati, former Chairman Phumuza Ntshangase and Cornelius Simelane.

He was barred from contesting the elections in absentia though, as he did not attend what turned out to be a lengthy and drama-filled Annual General Meeting (AGM). It dragged for over eight hours.

The recently-amended MRFA Constitution stipulates that for one to contest the chairmanship, he should have served in the executive committee for at least four years. The constitution also makes it compulsory for aspiring office bearers to be present during the elections.

Another disqualified candidate was former Chairman Ntshangase, who failed to pitch, leaving Simelane the irresistible favourite for the top seat. Indeed the Manzini Sea Birds boss was overwhelmingly elected the new Chairman. He proved to be the ‘people’s choice’, as he recorded an unbelievable 132 votes, compared to his nearest challenger Petros Vilakati, who could only amass 22 votes.

Worth noting is that Simelane had been holding the fort temporarily as Normalisation Committee Chairman. The teams gave him the green light to lead the region for the next four years, as his term of office and that of the newly-elected executive committee expires in 2018.
The Electoral Officer yesterday was National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomzelulu.

He was assisted by the Hhohho Regional Football Association (HRFA) Chairman Comfort Shongwe. Also making it to the new-look executive was vocal administrator, new Mahlanya United boss Mandla ‘DJ Nice’ Dlamini. He had to ‘sweat’ to land the Vice Chairman position, beating firm favourite David Hlatjwako after three rounds of voting in a fiercely contested tie. Normalisation Committee Treasurer Sipho Dlamini retained his position in the new executive with an impressive 136 votes.

Another administrator, who retained his position from the previous committee appointed by the NFAS, was General Secretary Njabulo Mabuza, who proved to be a huge favourite with the teams. Speaking shortly after being elected, the new chairman, Simelane, assured the teams that the new executive committee will always strive to put teams’ interests first. “We will work according to the mandate you give us. We thank you for your trust in us and we will continue doing what will be of benefit to Manzini teams. We are fully aware that this is not our sport but it belongs to the people. With that in mind, we will execute our jobs well,” Simelane said.

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