SOCCER:Lungile Madywabe
According to Orlando Pirates boss Irvin Khoza, 200 policemen were asked to take care of security at last Saturday’s game between Orlando Pirates and Asec Mimosa from Ivory Coast — but only 10 turned up. Chief security officer of the National Soccer League Pat Ntombela says 300 security guards were on duty last weekend.
Certainly there were more than 10 men in blue uniforms at the match on Saturday, but what was their role in the day’s proceedings other than to sit and enjoy the game which ended 2- 2? It took more than four minutes for the security men to move to the troubled area as Pirates fans attacked the small group of Asec supporters after Pirates captain Innocent Mncwango was sent off. And, in fact, Pirates players were there before anyone else.
It is true that violence in soccer matches in South Africa is nothing compared to that in other countries the world over. But surely we are not waiting for the worst before we deal with it? One thing that is clear though is that the people entrusted to oversee security at our games do not live up to the demands of their job. And this time around whoever’s task that was failed South African soccer at international level.
The price to pay could be big. Pirates can be banned from participation in future competition for the ineffiency of the security, which is something beyond their control.
Who then was supposed to provide security for the game last weekend? The answers point in all directions. Ntombela says Pirates were supposed to have provided security while the South African Football Association does not know who was supposed to ensure the safety of the spectators.
“Soccer City were responsible for the security,” said Safa general secretary Donald Norman. The answer from Soccer City was: “We only hire the stadium.”
The trend all over the world is to separate fans of opposing teams, but Ntombela says: “I am not aware of that.” This doesn’t provide much reassurance that violence at the stadiums will be curbed. One wonders why he is the chief of security.
This problem of adequate security at soccer matches is becoming a serious matter that needs immediate attention to avoid ongoing embarrassment, but it seems that only the public and not the people employed to ensure their safety are worried about security at the
Ntombela does not seem to be fully aware of the task that he faces, saying: “We did not think that there would be a lot of people at the stadium to get more security for the game. We were caught unawares and we did not foresee fighting beause there has never been any since these games started.”
Khoza, who is heading security for the African Nations Cup next year, says:”Just as TV, radio and newspapers were used on voter education for the election last year, so we can use the same media to educate our fans.”
The behaviour of the Pirates fans was shocking, but there can be no excuse for what happened on Saturday, and it has ensured a hot reception for Orlando Pirates when they play the return leg in Abijdan on December 17