An early goal from South African international Japhet Zwane was all it took to move the Beautiful Birds up to sixth on the PSL log, having won three of their last four matches.
 
For Santos it was yet another defeat in a struggling season so far and the chances of them retaining their crown looks very slim.
 
Boebie Solomons side have now slipped down to 12th on the log with 14 points from 12 games, joining fellow Cape Town sides Hellenic (13th) and Ajax (15th) at the wrong end of the table.
 
The match-winner came after a defensive error in the 19th minute by the visitors led to Zwanes great left-footed shot flying past Innocent Mayoyo in goal.
 
Swallows had more chances to kill off the game, but Santos could well have scored an undeserved equaliser when, in injury time, defender Musa Otieno-Ongao hit the side netting with home keeper Greg Itasia well beaten.