The missile-throwing incident during our second leg of the MTN 8 clash against Orlando Pirates has left us with a R500 000 fine, wholly suspended for one year. We were also ordered to pay the costs of the sitting, amounting to R21 000.

These two punishments were yet again born from a moment of sheer irresponsibility and lunacy by a certain section of our supporters.

We returned from Cape Town embarrassed when our supporters turned the Newlands Stadium into a sea of missiles in the first leg of the same competition against Ajax in the previous season.

Going back five seasons, in the then SAA Super 8 against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Soccer City Stadium, we ended up playing in an empty stadium against Swallows and faced a possible docking of points.

These and other unbecoming behavioural tendencies in our supporter ranks have persistently undermined our unique mantra of living for love and peace. This core value, an identity that has characterised our powerful brand, is under constant threat unless the entire Kaizer Chiefs family unites to address the rotten element.

Although we continuously embark on campaigns to rid our family of hooligans, it has turned out that our efforts have been wasted on those who still cannot control their emotions. They seemingly live under the illusion that every game is a guaranteed victory and abhor, to a point of self-destruction, any result that does not favour us.

Surely we can conclude that some of our supporters are masters at letting us down. The missile-throwing and booing of players has become a trademark expression on the stands. The winding of hands in a gesture telling the technical team to make a substitution is also an eyesore.

For them the stadium environment is an arena to vent and this automatically brings the entire family into disrepute. Their understanding and application of the concept “support” is somewhat warped and they should search deep into their conscience for its true meaning.

With the season still fresh, may I invite all peace-loving supporters to assist in ridding our family of this scourge. Failing to do so can only sink us into further trouble with the authorities at the PSL.

Supporters must realise that every negative act may not have an impact on the result of the match but it tarnishes the commercial value of our brand. In addition, unbecoming behaviour puts unnecessary pressure on the players and destabilises the administration every time we have to sit in lengthy disciplinary hearings.

We therefore condemn, unreservedly, all the negative behaviour and call on our supporters to help identify the culprits. While our chairman and the PSL will publicly condemn such behaviour, we are challenged as Kaizer Chiefs to unite for the call against stadium hooligans.

Otherwise we shall continue to let ourselves down and ultimately undermine our 40-year history of success.

Thebe Mohatle (Mr)


Khosi 4 Life!