By Lwazi Dlamini and Sibusiso Masilela
Former Manzini Wanderers Managing Director Cedric Mathatha has passed on.
According to sources based in Mpumalanga, the South African businessman is said to have shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself in the early hours of Saturday morning in front of his kids.
It could not be ascertained what had caused the Acornbush United Football Club Chairman to end his life in such dramatic circumstances.
However, Eswatini Daily News, through well-placed sources closer to Mathatha, has gathered that he had been suffering from depression for months after his company’s accounts were frozen by the South African Police Services’ Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) commonly referred to as Hawks.
“He had been struggling with his finances after the Hawks froze his accounts and that’s why he even stopped assisting Wanderers because he had cash flow problems,” our informed source said.
Mathatha was in charge of the ‘Weslians’ between the 2020/2022 seasons together with Sandile ‘Chief’ Dlamini. He was recruited to the hub giants by the late Management Committee (MC) Chairman Thembumenzi Mkhatshwa. Wanderers board of Governor Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli mourned the passing of Mathatha.
ALSO READ: Eswatini makes headways in developing nuclear security plan
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mathatha even though we haven’t received a formal update from his family. We will forever cherish his contribution to the team,” he said. Mathatha recruited several players to the team such as Siphamandla Dhlamini, Richard McCreesh, Lindokuhle Fakudze and Fabrice Mopina among others to the team during his two seasons stint.
He further played a key role in roping in former technical director Milton Dlamini who is now in charge of Denver Sundowns. Other coaches who worked under Mathatha’s leadership include the incumbent Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe, Velekhaya Mthethwa and Terisayi Changara.
He was the second Managing Director for the crowd pullers after Johannesburg-based liSwati Mehluli Nhlengetfwa. Mathatha’s South African club, Acornbush United FC, campaigning in the ABC Motsepe League through their website confirmed the passing of their chairman.
“Condolences to the family of our Chairman, Cedric Mathatha Mashile for his sudden passing on. We are shattered by the sad news,” read a post on the club’s official Face-
book page.
Mathatha’s law, Mandla Tshabalala of PM Tshabalala Inc could only confirm the sad passing of Mathatha but asked to be contacted later in the week.
Interestingly, the ‘Weslians’ are also reportedly linked with another South African Businessman who is believed to be a mining guru. The team is currently under the leadership of the management committee led by former top striker Berger Nxumalo.
