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This week a hurting Panyaza Lesufi did not mince his words when he said Moroka Swallows were doomed to go down because of administrative issues.
Lesufi, the Gauteng MEC for education, is one of the highest-profile Swallows supporters, but he said it would probably be for the best if the club were to go down – again.
The once beautiful Birds are on the verge of being relegated to the ABC Motsepe League, as they are currently lying at the bottom of the National First Division (NFD) log.
With six games to go, Swallows were on 13 points – five points behind 15th-placed African Warriors before this weekend’s NFD fixtures. They need a miracle to survive the drop.
Although shedding a tear for the club, Lesufi said it would be for best, so that they could start afresh.
“You mean the relegation of the [relegated]?” responded Lesufi when asked about Swallows.
Asked what his involvement with the club was, Lesufi said, “I am deeply involved. I call myself a fixer. I am bringing in people who I believe can fix the problem. I’m bringing in the buyer and have brought in others who have left already. I have been criss-crossing the country trying to help. I have spoken to people who love Swallows, but the administrative problems are just so huge and have plunged the club to where it is now. Leon [Prins] is part of those problems.”
Prins resigned as the director of the club in November, only to reinstate himself two months ago.
“It is really painful what is going on there now. We tried everything and, from where I stand, it is going to be in the best interests of the product if Swallows could be relegated because their problems can’t be solved overnight,” he said.
Lesufi was among those who had hoped for the revival of the club during the January transfer window period, but it was not be.
“There are investors who were ready to come on board, but the administrative problems of the club are so deeply rooted that it was impossible for them to get involved. After missing that opportunity in the window period, there was no way we could come back.”
He said he had personally spoken to four club bosses – Patrice Motsepe, Irvin Khoza, Jomo Sono and Kaizer Motaung – and they had all promised to give Swallows players.
“There was a willingness by the soccer fraternity to rescue the team, but the administrative problems were beyond our imagination.”
Lesufi said there would be an announcement in the next two weeks or so of the next person who was likely to take over the team.
“The only way out for us is to start the brand afresh. Where it is now, it is difficult to manage its three legs – one in Germany, another in Cape Town and the team in Gauteng. We can’t balance things now.”
He said Swallows’ situation had left him drained emotionally and financially.
“High on our agenda is to solve the German side, then we will be able to get Swallows’ status right.”
Lesufi hinted that the new owner might buy Premier League status next season.
“There are three clubs that we are talking to – in the relegation zone and the other in the top eight, and we will see what happens at the end of the season.”
