From tax woes to pitch battles: Drama follows MaMkhize as fans turn violent

The “MaMkhize era” at Mbabane Highlanders AM has hit a violent roadblock. Just months after Shauwn Mkhize made her dramatic return to football in Eswatini, her club is staring down severe disciplinary action following a barbaric attack on a match official.

What was supposed to be a showcase of football in the Ingwenyama Cup Round of 16 turned into a battlefield on Sunday. A 93rd-minute winner from former Orlando Pirates youth coach Mandla Qhogi’s Nsingizini Hotspurs sparked a localised riot at the Mavuso Sports Centre.

Incensed by the late goal and convinced the referee had added too much stoppage time, a mob of Highlanders supporters breached security and stormed the pitch. The official was physically assaulted before security could intervene, leaving the stadium in a state of shock.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗠 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗠𝗸𝗵𝗶𝘇𝗲

Shauwn Mkhize’s side is in hot water after supporters % attacked a referee on Sunday after their defeat in the Ingwenyama Cup to Nsingizini Hotspurs.pic.twitter.com/fzMV65WYLi

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) February 23, 2026

MaMkhize’s Highlanders Issue “Deeply Worried” Apology

On Monday morning, the Makhize-owned club moved into damage-control mode. In a statement posted to their official Facebook page, the Highlanders leadership admitted the club had fallen short of professional standards:

“A day that began with colour and noise… ended in deeply worrying and disappointing circumstances. The closing scenes cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of football.”

The club confirmed they are now waiting for the Eswatini football authorities to hand down a sentence, which could include heavy fines, stadium bans, or disqualification from future tournaments.

A Pattern of Turbulence?

For president MaMkhize, this is the latest chapter in a career defined by high stakes and high drama. Her arrival at Mbabane in August 2025 was seen as a “rebirth” after the spectacular collapse of Royal AM in South Africa’s PSL.

Following a R40 million tax battle with SARS that saw Royal AM auctioned off in March 2025, Mkhize crossed the border to rebuild her football empire. However, this weekend’s violence suggests that the road to redemption will be anything but smooth.

While Qhogi celebrates a quarter-final spot for Nsingizini Hotspurs, MaMkhize must now decide how to handle a fanbase that has put the club’s future in legal jeopardy.