Africa-Press – Eswatini. No end in sight! Denver Sundowns have called for the chief immigration officer to appear before the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) on Tuesday, as the case between them and Manzini Wanderers was postponed again to this day. The case was heard before EFA DC at Sigwaca House yesterday, after it had initially been postponed on Thursday evening.
The chief immigration officer will be expected to appear before the DC after Wanderers produced a letter purported to be signed by the chief immigration officer who issued Manzini Wanderers with Jimoh Moses’ documents.
However, Sundowns representative and lawyer Zakhele Dlamini rejected the letter, and requested that in such cases the author of the letter be there to submit the letter in person, as they want to cross-examine him. He further questioned the authenticity of the document as he highlighted that there were a few discrepancies in the letter that had been produced.
“This case touches upon the immigration department. Hence, the author must come and testify and the buck must stop here. From what I’ve seen the document was authorised by the chief immigration officer but surprisingly signed by someone else. We will defend ourselves as Sundowns. We will use their document to attack them. Let them bring the immigration officer so that he will be cross-examined,” he said.
Manzini Wanderers Legal Advisor Bongani ‘ Bhanyaza’ Mdluli alleged that Denver Sundowns were stalling and questioned them for challenging whatever documents they brought forward.
Produced
“Seemingly Sundowns are trying to use every trick in the book in this case. We have produced all necessary documents. We have long passed the issue of technicalities and they should have highlighted this earlier. It means they will now order us to bring even the match commissioners. As Manzini Wanderers, we want this matter to be finalised. Let us be serious,” he said.
Wanderers then asked for the PLE to assist them bring the chief immigration officer to come and testify, however the PLE was quick to respond that it would not be possible for them to bring the chief immigration officer. They suggested that they use the same route to get the officer to testify as they did in securing the Moses’ documents as they had no authority on the matter.
Other Wanderers representatives Sifiso ‘Charlie’ Jele and Thabiso ‘Mpopoli’ Fakudze concurred and promised to bring the immigration officer to testify.
“We are not worried, we are ready to bring the officer to testify,” they said.
PLE DC Chairman Thulani Sibandze agreed tothe postponement of the case after hearing both parties.
However, Manda, who is representing PLE was concerned about the continuing postponement of the case. “Whosoever causes the postponement of the case must be liable for costs,” he said.
Sundowns lawyer Zakhele Dlamini objected.
“This is a case between Manzini Wanderers and Denver Sundowns. Where does the PLE feature here? It’s the circumstances of the matter that caused the postponement. So why should we pay the costs,” said Dlamini.
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