DStv Premiership club Moroka Swallows has dismissed 22 players with immediate effect, following their disciplinary hearing.
This comes after the players last month refused to honour the club’s fixtures, amidst an ongoing pay dispute with management.
“After consideration of all the factors above, I find the employment relationship cannot be sustained and dismissal is the only appropriate sanction.
Generally, it is not acceptable to dismiss employees on the first occasion of incident, however, some circumstances similar to the case warrant that a sanction of dismissal be militated herein even if the employees are the first transgressors.
In the circumstances I submit that the employees be dismissed with immediate effect,” read a sanction from the disciplinary hearing.
The players allegedly refused to honour their matches, after demanding that their December salaries be paid earlier than the scheduled time.
The club however refused to heed to their demands, arguing that it is against the contractual agreement between the club and players that they be paid on 31 December.
The dismissals add another chaos into the beleaguered club season, which is one of the oldest in the country.
The Dube Birds, as Swallows is affectionately known, were recently fined R1 million by the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee and deducted six points, after they failed to honour matches against Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows FC last month respectively, after the players downed tools.
The 22 players are Daniel Akpeyi, Thakasani Mbanjwa, Buhle Thompson, Bongani Sam, Mthokozisi Shwabule, Sipho Sibiya, Lantshene Phalane, Ephraim Mangweni, Tshidiso Patjie, Wandisile Letlabika, Givemore Khupe, Thandolwethu Ngwenya, Wade Poole, Siyabonga Khumalo, Falakhe Tshanini, Olwethu Khumalo, Strydom Wambi, Rampa Mkhuseli, Ntsako Makhubela, Lindokuhle Mtshali, Kwanda Mngonyama and Tlakusani Mthethwa.
It is still not clear if the players will appeal the decision, and even worse, how the team will assemble for the remainder of the season.