Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Pirates are hiding behind Merafe – Sukazi
DISTURBING scenes dominated social media and headlines in December when a pre-match off-field bust up involving TS Galaxy staff, Orlando Pirates officials and security personnel shattered the league’s image.
Cases of assault between the two clubs have been opened but processes of investigation and prosecutions have been put on hold.
Galaxy communications manager, Minenhle Mkhize, opened a case of common assault that resulted in the arrest of Buccaneers media officer Thandi Merafe at the beginning of the year.
However, The Rockets president, Tim Sukazi, believes Pirates are hiding behind Merafe and are delaying the inevitable outcome of their pending case.
“The Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) case of misconduct against Orlando Pirates is still up in the air.
“We have had one sitting but thereafter Pirates were granted a postponement and the reason behind that postponement was because their key witness wasn’t available.
“Their key witness was Ms Thandi Merafe, who was on CAF-related duty at the Afcon.
“I was on the scene and everyone saw the circulating videos and I’m confident in saying, I didn’t see Merafe there but the league still saw it fit for the case to be postponed,” he explained.
“I’ve never seen or spoken to her but she is still the key witness in our case.”
Sukazi is confident the league will eventually punish all wrongdoing against them and has lashed out at Pirates for throwing a cloud of darkness over the South African game.
“The actions of Pirates that day undermined the local game and undermined the dreams of young kids growing up and hoping they could be a part of this establishment,” he expressed.
“I don’t think anyone from Pirates owes me an explanation. Everything that transpired that day is out in the public and any official that doesn’t deem those scenes as throwing the league into disrepute doesn’t deserve to be a part of the league.
“I have no issues with the chairman of the league, Mr Irvin Khoza, the case is not about me or him.”
Sukazi and his charges will hope to brush off their off-field battles when they take on Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup tomorrow.
In the DStv Premiership The Rockets are at the bottom of the log but only three points separate them and 12th-placed Chippa United.