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Petros Kausiyo and Grace Chingoma
GOVERNMENT reacted angrily yesterday in the wake of another outburst of violence in the domestic Premiership, with the high-profile Bulawayo Derby between Chicken Inn and Highlanders being marred by disturbances, saying the cancer was destroying the image of the country’s top-flight league.

The match ended 1-1, albeit in controversial circumstances sparked by a refereeing decision that torched ugly scenes of violence at Barbourfields, with some hooligans invading the pitch from the Soweto End and even charging and throwing missiles at the police.

Tafadzwa Kutinyu scored what should have been Chicken Inn’s winner, in time added on, but referee Nkosikhona Moyo disallowed the goal saying that he had blown to end the match by the time the midfielder fired home.

However, questions are now being asked as to why Moyo — who is a rookie at this level of the game — was appointed to handle the biggest football derby in the City of Kings given that this was a referee who has handled less than five Premiership matches in the past two years.

Yesterday, the Government challenged ZIFA to take more decisive and punitive action against hooligans in order to weed rogue elements out of domestic football.

Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane said the level of violence in the domestic Premiership was unacceptable and Government will not watch from a distance while hooligans hijack the national game and turn it into their battleground.

Hlongwane told a Press conference in the capital yesterday that Government wanted ZIFA, as the country’s football governing body, to put in place a system that will ensure that hooligans who tarnish the image of the game are weeded out, including bans being imposed on known serial offenders.

The minister said ZIFA’s failure to punish football leaders, like Councillor and Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League board member for competitions Cecilia Gambe, who invaded the pitch and abused a referee during a league match between Mutare City and How Mine at Sakubva on May 8, had sent the wrong message that such lawlessness was acceptable in domestic football.

Gambe charged at referee Brighton Chimene, accusing him of bad officiating, but the Women’s League official is still to be sanctioned by ZIFA while Mutare City Rovers were fined $2 000 by the PSL disciplinary committee for the behaviour of the fans.

The absence of a ZIFA Appeals Committee also means that Dynamos’ appeal, against the decision for the Glamour Boys to play in an empty stadium in the wake of violence that gripped their league match against FC Platinum, is still to be heard.

A ZIFA employee, Theresa Maguraushe, is reported to be making the appointments of referees who should, according to the association’s constitution, be appointed by the ZIFA Referees’ Committee.

ZIFA have been delaying the naming of their committees, which are crucial in the running of the game for some time now although they are now set to be finalised at a meeting this weekend.

“The ministry would like to state in categoric terms that hooliganism and other forms of violence have no place in football, in particular, and sport in general as it defeats the very well established axioms of sport, i.e. promoting peace and a culture of tolerance,” Hlongwane said yesterday.

“Government takes note of the fact that despite earlier warnings for ZIFA to take action on hooliganism and violence at football matches, the following matters have not been conclusively resolved:

“Violence at the Mutare City Rovers–How Mine match of 8 May 2016 where a ZIFA Councillor invaded the pitch and threatened a match official in full view of the fans and spectators of the game.”

The minister also cited the league match at Rufaro where Dynamos fans turned to violence after their team’s 1-0 defeat to FC Platinum.

Police, who fought running battles with hooligans, had to fire teargas to disperse them with former Dynamos secretary-general Webster Chikengezha’s car having its windscreen smashed.

“The Dynamos–FC Platinum match of 14 May 2016 has not been conclusively resolved, despite advice by Government and the Sports Commission.

“It is Government’s view that the lack of decisive action on these very important matters of football by ZIFA have allowed the culture of violence to continue to breed at football matches.

“The lack of disciplinary action on the ZIFA board member, who invaded the pitch in Mutare and threatened officials is creating an impression that ZIFA itself is sheltering merchants of violence within its structures and promoting a culture of impunity.

“Government is therefore, advising ZIFA to lead by example and to take stern action on all perpetrators of violence in all the cited incidences including the Highlanders–Chicken Inn match,” Hlongwane said.

Hlongwane said it was Government’s position that “hooliganism should be stamped out with harsh penalties.”

“Further, Government suggests that hooligans should be banned from attending soccer matches and that the underlying causes of violence at soccer matches should be investigated and dealt with decisively.

“Lastly, Government calls on ZIFA to immediately expedite as it should have done, the process of constituting its committees to raise the level of capacity and skills of officials, for better and professional handling and management of all matches.’’

ZIFA, on their part, also urged clubs to expedite the spectator education programmes in order to ensure the hooligan element is extinguished from the various venues.

The association’s spokesman Xolisani Gwesela said ZIFA would strive to ensure that the hooligans are brought to book.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association is utterly dismayed by the heinous acts of hooliganism that characterised the Chicken Inn vs Highlanders match at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

“These heinous acts of violence must be condemned in no uncertain terms.

“The beautiful game of football celebrates aesthetic values of peace, tranquillity and good sportsmanship. The association takes great exception to any individual or groups who breach these sacrosanct values.

“ZIFA encourages clubs to educate their fans and devise strategies to curb these despicable acts of violence. ZIFA also urges the law enforcement agencies to be resolute and clamp down heavily on these malcontents to serve as a disincentive for future occurrence,’’ Gwesela said.

Meanwhile, ZIFA have sent a condolence message to their president Philip Chiyangwa following the death of his brother Nyadziso on Sunday.

“ZIFA joins association president, Dr Philip Chiyangwa and his family in mourning the sad passing on of Nyadziso Chiyangwa, the president’s younger brother.

“We extend our heartfelt commiserations to Dr Chiyangwa and his family and we are deeply sorry for their loss.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this dark time of grieving. May the Chiyangwa family find comfort in the Lord,” Gwesela said.

Chiyangwa is distressed following his brother’s untimely death, but he said this is also a time to celebrate the life of the deceased.

“It is with the most grieving heart that I announce the passing away of my young brother Nyadziso.

“A blooming flower has been plucked from the garden of life and we mourn. Tinoda kupa kutenda kuna Mwari nenguva yaakatipa tiri pamwe. (We thank the Lord for the time he granted us with him [Nyadziso])

“As we grieve, let us come together again and celebrate the life of Nyadziso in giving him a befitting send-off,” Chiyangwa said.

Nyadziso will be buried at the Chiyangwa rural home in Zvimba this afternoon.