/ 15 November 2012

Boys who stoned Zambian soccer team’s bus released

South Africa lost 1-0 to Zambia in a friendly match at Soccer City on Wednesday. The Zambian team's bus was stoned by teenagers after the match.
South Africa lost 1-0 to Zambia in a friendly match at Soccer City on Wednesday. The Zambian team's bus was stoned by teenagers after the match.

"The boys were taken into custody on Wednesday night. One was released into the custody of his parents and the other was taken to a place of safety," police spokesperson Brigadier Neville Malila said on Thursday.

"Investigations continue and police are looking for two other minors who threw the bus [sic] with stones outside the stadium. One window was broken."

Malila said the motive was not known and the boys – aged 12 and 13 – faced a charge of malicious damage to property.

The South African Football Association (Safa) said the stone-throwing happened after Bafana Bafana lost 1-0 to Zambia.

Zambia's goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, who also plays for the Free State Stars in South Africa, was injured, according to a tweet by the Zambian Football Association.

"Very sad that Zambian bus was stoned and Kennedy Mweene sustained a head injury. Has had stitches and is ok, but the incident was shameful," read the tweet, posted on Thursday morning.

Safa spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi said the behaviour was unacceptable.

"Safa does not condone this behaviour. The match was played in honour of [former president] Nelson Mandela and these people are not welcome at our stadiums.

"They should watch the games at home … People come to the games with their families and this behaviour is not acceptable." – Sapa