BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
MANZINI– The 2026 Swazi Rally organisers say they are strengthening their prize verification procedures following an Eswatini Gaming Board ruling that dismissed a complaint over the event’s motorcycle draw.
In a public statement issued on October 8, the organisers said the board heard evidence from the parties on September 9 before delivering its ruling on October 6. The complaint was lodged by Abel Dupont, who alleged that he was the rightful winner of the motorcycle prize and that the winning ticket had been changed. The organisers denied the allegations.
According to their statement, the board’s ruling confirmed that Sonia Paiva and the organising team had not changed the ticket. They said the confusion arose when the master of ceremonies mistakenly read the rally year, 2026, instead of the bottom ticket number, 1256.
The organisers said they had allowed the matter to be handled by the relevant authority rather than responding to the allegations on social media while the complaint was under consideration. With the ruling delivered, attention has now turned to improving the process for future prize draws. The organisers said additional measures had been introduced to strengthen visual verification, with the aim of reducing the possibility of similar confusion.
The development highlights an important part of running public prize competitions: ensuring that ticket numbers are read correctly and that the process is clear to participants and spectators.
For an annual event that attracts motorsport enthusiasts, maintaining public confidence in its activities remains important. Clearer verification procedures can help organisers demonstrate how winners are identified and how prizes are awarded.
The organisers said they remained committed to ensuring that prizes go to the rightful winners, while the new measures are intended to improve the verification process at future Swazi Rally events.
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(Courtesy Pic)
