‘BIRDS’ MARSHALS ARRESTED

Mbabane Swallows marshals push away Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) officers, stopping them from executing their duties in the process on Sunday at Somhlolo National Stadium during the Castle Premier Challenge second leg semi-finals.

MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows marshals Jeffrey Shongwe and Bheki Magagula have been arrested for the Somhlolo National Stadium incident.

The duo was arrested yesterday by Lobamba Police after wrestling with on-duty Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) officers on Sunday during the Castle Premier Challenge second leg semi-finals between Mbabane Swallows and Royal Leopard.

They have been charged for the obstruction of justice and assault. They will appear before the Lobamba National Court tomorrow.  Police Deputy Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Khulani Mamba confirmed yesterday.
He said the two were arrested yesterday after two police officers were allegedly assaulted at the stadium during the Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes game.

Jeffrey Shongwe, who is 41 years old, hails from Mbabane while Bheki Magagula is from Mvutjini, Ezulwini.
The two police officers were stopped dead on their tracks when trying to walk past the Mbabane Swallows marshals who were manning the tunnels leading to their dressing rooms. The non-compromising marshals wrestled with the officers.

“Assault charges were laid at the Lobamba Police Station and the duo was arrested today (yesterday). We are taking this as a criminal offence because the police officers were on duty and they had nothing to do with which teams were playing. They were not at the stadium to watch or support Royal Leopard but there to maintain peace as usual,” he said. Mamba said what shocked him is the fact that the officers were in full uniform. “On behalf of the National Commissioner Isaac Magagula, we condemn what happened at the Stadium. We hope the Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) will take steps to avoid such from happening in the future,” he said.

Mamba said they were aware that the cause of what happened was the belief in muti which the police officers on duty had nothing to do with.
Mbabane Swallows beat Royal Leopard 3-1 (6-2 on  aggregate) to reach the finals against Green Mamba who won with the away goal rule as they played a 2-all draw in the first leg.

Meanwhile, The Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) will investigate the clash between Mbabane Swallows and the Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) officers. PLS Chief Operations Officer (COO) John Mazibuko said they would take action after witnessing the incident that happened during the Castle Premier Challenge second leg semi-finals. It was during the Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes match when the marshals wrestled with the on duty police officers and stopping them from executing their duties.

“We were not impressed upon seeing what happened during the Castle Premier Challenge second leg semi-finals. This is not supposed to be happening in football and we condemn it at all costs.

We are going to open up our investigations and we are going to base everything mostly on the reports to be submitted today by the match officials,” he said. Mbabane Swallows acting CEO Sibusiso Manana said he would not say much because the marshals have been charged for the alleged offences. He said they would allow the law take its course.
(Additional reporting Nsindiso Tsabedze)

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