Nozipho Shabangu, a businesswoman from Lavumisa and marketing manager of Nsingizini Hotspurs, has filed an urgent application against Valencia Vermeulen in the High Court of Eswatini. Shabangu is seeking an injunction to prevent Vermeulen from repeating alleged defamatory statements and is demanding E200 000 in damages for injury to her dignity and reputation. The dispute involves repeated interactions and publications concerning Shabangu, which occurred both in person and through social-media platforms.
According to Shabangu, the first incident occurred during a football tournament at Mavuso Sports Centre, where Vermeulen allegedly made remarks in a stadium filled with Nsingizini Hotspurs supporters. Shabangu's cousin, Nothando Dlamini, claimed that Vermeulen pointed towards Shabangu and made the statements, which were understood to be directed at her. Another incident concerns a social-media publication following the launch of an Nsingizini Hotspurs jersey sold for E850, where Vermeulen allegedly made a public comment referring to Shabangu.
Shabangu described an encounter at the stadium on September 12, 2026, where she confronted Vermeulen about the Facebook publication and the attribution of club decisions to her. Shabangu denied assaulting Vermeulen during the encounter and stated that Vermeulen later sent her a message suggesting they put their differences aside. However, Shabangu received information that Vermeulen had contacted an online Facebook publication platform, Mufasa, about the confrontation, which led to further circulation of the alleged defamatory statements.
Shabangu argued that previous attempts to resolve the dispute without litigation had not stopped the alleged conduct and asked the court to grant the relief contained in her notice of motion. She stated that she is a businesswoman, mother, and Board member, and marketing manager of the club, and that decisions involving ticket prices, replica jerseys, merchandise, and other club matters are decisions of the club and its leadership structures, rather than personal decisions made by her.
The court application seeks an order preventing Vermeulen from publishing or repeating the specified statements, including through Facebook and other social-media platforms, and removal of the publications. Shabangu also prayed for such further or alternative relief as the court may consider appropriate. Judge Mumcy Dlamini postponed the matter to September 28, 2026.
Vermeulen is yet to file her answering papers, and the veracity of the allegations is still to be tested in court. Shabangu is represented by Khumbulani Msibi of Magagula Attorneys. The applicant emphasized that the application is urgent because social-media material can remain accessible, be shared, reproduced, and republished.
As a former Miss Eswatini, Shabangu takes her reputation seriously and is seeking protection from further harm. The case will continue on September 28, 2026, and the court's decision is awaited.
Key points
- - Nozipho Shabangu, marketing manager of Nsingizini Hotspurs, has filed an urgent application against Valencia Vermeulen for allegedly making defamatory statements. - The dispute involves repeated interactions and publications concerning Shabangu, which occurred both in person and through social-media platforms. - Shabangu is seeking an injunction and E200 000 in damages for injury to her dignity and reputation.
