MBABANE - Mbabane Highlanders have issued a scathing official statement detailing the alleged mistreatment of their accredited media officer during a rain-soaked MTN Premier League fixture.
The incident, which unfolded at the King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium in Nhlangano on February 14, 2026, has prompted the club to escalate the matter to the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE).
The ‘Bull’ have called for a thorough investigation into what they describe as unacceptable, obstructive and inconsistent conduct. The clash against Nsingizini Hotspurs, billed as a Valentine’s Day showdown, turned into a nightmare for Highlanders both on and off the pitch. The ‘Bull’ suffered a humiliating 4-2 defeat in a six-goal thriller that was overshadowed by off-field turmoil.
Persistent rainfall rendered the pitch waterlogged, drawing displeasure from Highlanders Head Coach Ernest Mavuso, who criticised the decision to proceed with the game. Amid the deluge, chaos erupted as frustrated Highlanders fans attempted to forcibly remove vehicles parked near their goalpost on a secondary pitch, exacerbating tensions at the venue. At the heart of the controversy is Sifiso Zwide Nxumalo, Highlanders’ Media Officer.
According to the club’s detailed statement, Ndwandwe was dutifully setting up his workstation in the designated photographers’ zone during the pre-match warm-up when he was ordered to relocate his vehicle from an unmarked parking area.
The move was necessitated by the inclement weather, with the vehicle serving as a temporary shelter for additional equipment.
After negotiations with security personnel from both the club and the league, Nxumalo complied, having received explicit assurances that his gear – positioned within the demarcated media area – would remain undisturbed. Yet, in a breach of those guarantees, the equipment was allegedly removed during the downpour. The statement further stated that upon later inspection, damage was reportedly discovered to vital photographic tools essential to Ndwandwe’s profession.
Attempting to record the altercation on his mobile device, Ndwandwe was reportedly physically restrained by marshals before senior officials intervened to de-escalate the standoff. “The removal of accredited media equipment, the resulting damage and the physical restraint of an accredited official are matters of the utmost seriousness,” reads part of the statement.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
Mbabane Highlanders Communications Officer, Zwide Nxumalo (C), was manhandled during the heated post-match confrontations as tensions boiled over at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium on Saturday after Nsingizini Hotspurs beat Highlanders 4-2. (File pic)