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Parly weighs in on Nedback Cup hooliganism as PSL calls urgent media briefing

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Parliament Sports Committee Chairperson Beauty Dlulane has expressed shock at the incident at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in Saturday night.

Eighteen people were injured in a rampage by a group of Kaizer Chiefs fans at the Nedbank Champions semi-finals in which Free State Stars won two-nil.

Chiefs Coach Steve Komphela announced his resignation after the defeat.

A security officer, who was earlier thought to be female, is among the injured after fans who moved onto the pitch assaulted him, leaving him unconscious.

Dlulane says the incident justifies the need to revisit the question of safety at soccer stadia.

“I couldn’t believe when we were seeing the hooligans. How did they get to the pitch and where were the security and the stadium management? And to my surprise, we are still waiting for the report of the other stampede where we lost lives. With this one we don’t know whether we are going to lose lives of those who are severely injured. Could you believe when you are looking in those pictures, seeing a woman that was kicked and beaten by chairs? How can the people of South Africa be like this?”

Democratic Alliance spokesperson on Sports, and Member of Parliament, Tsepo Mhlongo wants the institution to call the PSL to account for the violence.

Mhlongo says the incident was unacceptable. He says the DA wants Parliament’s Sports Portfolio Committee to call the PSL to appear before it soon.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Premier Soccer League Irvin Khoza will address the media on Monday on the matter.

Police arrested two people following the violence. The extent of damage is still being assessed.

Police spokesperson Nqobile Gwala says more arrests are imminent.

She says the suspects will appear in court on Monday.

“Two suspects were arrested for public violence as well as malicious damage to property and they will appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court.”

 

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