PSL boss points at SAPS
JOHANNESBURG: Despite advocating for a ‘no finger-pointing’ approach as a reaction to the violence that erupted at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday in the match between Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars, the PSL chairman Irvin Khoza then proceeded to roll the South African Police Services under the bus.
Responding to acts of hooliganism that took place after Chiefs were beaten 2-0 by Stars and eliminated from the Nedbank Cup semifinals, Khoza said there was inadequate security to deal with the rampage that unfolded seconds after the final whistle.
“The league is extremely shocked at the violence that took place at the Stadium. I want to make it clear that there is no place for violence in our stadiums and society,” he said, before pointing out that in meetings that were held with several political parties in the country as well as the Minister of Police Bheki Cele, the league had raised concerns about the role of the SAPS.
“It is a fact that public safety risk at football matches and events around the country has been escalating and it was incumbent on the PSL in its capacity as the controlling body, and occasionally event organiser, to bring to the attention of the honourable ministers the involvement of the SAPS, which is impacting negatively on the compliances with the SASREA (Safety at Sports and Recreational Events) act,” Khoza explained.
Police run the entire planning process and are in charge on match day, but in Durban on Saturday they, along with security personnel hired, had their hands full with pitch invaders who damaged the venue and broadcast equipment and set stadium seats alight.
“The league also raised certain shortfalls regarding the inconsistent practical implementation of the SASREA act by certain components of the SAPS. I don’t want to generalise because there are certain pockets of excellence within state security, but there was failure by the VOC (venue operations centre) commander of SAPS to deploy adequate policing,” the chairman added.
“The VOC commander is the only one that can issue an instruction, but if he doesn’t nobody can move. Another thing is that for this particular game, this authorised member did not attend the first planning meeting. He only arrived on the day. Now, how can you implement something
I don’t want to generalise because there are certain pockets of excellence within state security, but there was failure by the VOC (venue operations centre) commander of SAPS to deploy adequate policing.”
you were not part of from the beginning? These are things we are going to raise yet again with the minister.”
Khoza was then asked why it often takes the PSL so long to punish clubs and find the perpetrators when there has been unruly behaviour at football matches – it took the league 14 months before penalising Orlando Pirates for crowd violence at Loftus Versfeld in February last year.
“It is not that simple. As you know, there are lawyers involved when it comes to appearing before a disciplinary committee and you must give facts there. There is always a report missing, and it is from the VOC commander. For the league, a report from the match commissioner is enough, but in term of the SASREA act, we must have the other report from the authorised member of the SAPS,” he replied.
The chairman said the league was mulling over a decision to approach parliament for a review of the SASREA act in order for the PSL to have some jurisdiction in dealing with hooligans.
“This act has got a lot of challenges,” said Khoza.
“You must submit your calendar for an event six months before the game. But if the league finishes in May or June as it is always the case and then starts again in August, it means we are already in breach of the act because of timelines in the league. What must we do? The Minister said perhaps the act was done for major events like the World Cup in 2010, but it has created problems for local events and our football games.”