Eswatini: Mbabane Highlanders sanctions reduced after appeal

Former Eswatini Premier League champions Mbabane Highlanders AM FC have partly been successful in their appeal against sanctions imposed on them recently.

The disciplinary committee of Eswatini Football Association found Shawn Mkhize-owned team guilty on all charges of perpetuating violence during the Round of 16 clash at the Mavuso Sports Centre in February 2026.

 

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The incident occurred during recent Ingwenyama Cup game against Nsingizini Hotspurs.

Mbabane Highlanders penalised over violence

The committee found the Black Bull or Ezimnyama Ngenkani guilty on all three counts; hence expelled them from the cup and fined them USD 906 (E50,000).

However, the 13-time Eswatini Premier League champions challenged the Eswatini governing body’s sanctions.

In a statement, Ezimnyama Ngenkani accused the committee of showing signs of bias during the proceedings surrounding the case.

Why Mbabane Highlanders still feel aggrieved

Now after the appeal, the committee has reduced the fine to E25,000. However, the expulsion of the club for Shawn Mkhize still stands, something management, in a statement released on Friday, expressed reservations with.

“The club notes the decision of the disciplinary committee to uphold the initial verdict, with a reduction of the fine imposed from E50,000 to E25,000,” reads part of the statement.

“While we appreciate the partial reconsideration reflected in the reduced sanction, Mbabane Highlanders AM remains aggrieved by both the outcome and the circumstances that led to these proceedings.

“After a careful consideration, the club has taken a deliberate decision not to pursue the matter further, despite there being additional avenues available to us. This decision has been made in the best interests of the sport, and in the spirit of preserving the integrity and goodwill of the Ingwenyama Cup.”

South African football administrator Mkhize, formerly in charge of South Africa’s Royal AM, owns Highlanders AM.

Mkhize became the majority shareholder of the Eswatini side last July after South Africa’s elite league governing body expelled her Royal AM from the flagship Betway Premiership over financial problems which saw curators handling the then Durban-based club’s affairs.

To her credit, she did not give up on football but crossed the South African borders to invest in Ezimnyama Ngenkani.