Three more stadium accused include taxi men

Police continue hunt for ‘hooligans’

Three alleged soccer hooligans have been arrested as a police tracing unit works to bring those responsible for the bedlam following the Nedbank Cup semifinal between Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars in Durban a fortnight ago.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said policemen attached to the provincial task team made the swoop on Monday.

“We have arrested three suspects wanted for cases of public violence which occurred at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

“The three include a 35year-old truck driver‚ a taxi rank manager‚ 29‚ and a taxi owner‚ 35‚” Zwane said.

They will appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court today on charges of public violence.

The first person who appeared at the same court on Monday last week over the same matter was Phelelani Jojisa, 34.

He is facing charges of pitch invasion and malicious damage to property and was granted bail for R1 000.

Jojisa is due back in court on May 25.

The second suspect was nabbed in Bizana, Eastern Cape, and is yet to appear in court.

Violence erupted at the stadium after Chiefs were booted out of the Nedbank Cup after a comprehensive 3-1 defeat by Ea Lla Koto in the semifinals of the lucrative competition.

The pandemonium left many people injured and property damaged.

The damage to the stadium alone is put down at R2.6-million but there was more extensive damage, more so to broadcasting equipment and private vehicles that were parked at the stadium.

Police and stadium security were overrun as fans invaded the pitch at the end of the game‚ heading directly for embattled Chiefs coach Steve Komphela‚ who quit immediately after the game.