Coach Humphrey Mlwane has opened up about his settlement dispute with Motsepe Foundation Championship side, The Bees FC, after the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber [PSL DRC] ruled in his favour.
The verdict was handed down on Monday, 13 April 2026, by the PSL DRC chairperson, Advocate Mosupi Mashele.
The dispute stemmed from the sacking of the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mlwane in November 2025, just 12 games into the 2025/26 season.
Despite Mlwane’s history with the club—having led them to promotion from the ABC Motsepe League to the PSL—the relationship between the two parties took a different turn in the second tier of South African football.
Mlwane was responsible for the club’s success last season, guiding them to the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League title and subsequently securing a spot in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after finishing as runners-up in the SAFA Motsepe League National Playoffs in Gauteng in July 2025.
Advocate Mashele ruled that The Bees must pay their former head coach for the remainder of his contract.
Mlwane had six months remaining on his contract, with the settlement amount totalling over R191,000.
‘I WAS NOT APPRECIATED’ – HUMPHREY MLWANE
Speaking exclusively to FARPost following the verdict, Mlwane expressed relief but admitted to feeling betrayed by how his exit was handled.
“I’m very happy because of the decision taken by the PSL DRC,” Mlwane told FARPost. “It’s unfortunate how things ended with my former club because I took that team to that league [Motsepe Foundation Championship]. However, it’s sad that I was not appreciated.
“Somewhere, somehow, I feel like I didn’t get a fair chance in terms of doing my work and the material to execute my job.”
HUMPHREY MLWANE DISPUTES THE ‘AMICABLE’ DEPARTURE FROM THE BEES
Mlwane further clarified that the club’s public communication regarding his exit was misleading. At the time of his dismissal, The Bees released a statement claiming both parties had reached a mutual agreement—a claim that Mlwane denies.
“The issue was the agreement we signed with them. Even though the team was not doing well, [the exit] was supposed to be discussed in terms of a settlement,” he explained.
“But we couldn’t agree on that matter of settlement, and they went on to issue a statement on their social media platforms that we parted ways amicably and that we had reached an agreement. That was something I didn’t agree with.
“The way things unfolded was unfair treatment on my part because you remember where I come from with this team. This case started last year after my dismissal in November. But today, I’m happy that the verdict has come out, and I managed to win the case; they will have to pay me money for my six months’ salary.”
Mlwane currently serves as the head coach of the Eswatini side Tabankulu Celtic FC, a position he has held since February 2026.
The Bees are competing in their debut season in the National First Division [NFD], where they occupy 10th position on the log with 29 points from 24 matches under the guidance of Joel Masutha.
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