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Donald Ndebele

Sikhumbuzo Moyo,  Senior Sports Reporter
TWO football fans were on Sunday denied entry into Barbourfields Stadium after one was found with an old ticket while the other had an untorn ticket, in what is suspected to be an ongoing ticket scam by unscrupulous ticket checkers and cashiers.

Bosso treasurer Donald Ndebele, credited with setting up systems that has now resulted in three incidents of corrupt activities at the turnstiles being exposed, said the latest was at the Soweto Stand.

“One fan said that he was just trying his luck after noticing that he still had a ticket for a game which happened last week but still questions are why that ticket was never torn. The second guy was seen throwing a ticket from the stands down to his friend and when confronted claimed he had bought two tickets, one for himself and the other for his friend who had somehow remained behind,” said Ndebele.

He said they had to give the second guy the benefit of the doubt but there were strong suspicions that the ticket was just not torn upon entry.

“We want to urge supporters never to buy tickets from anyone other than cashiers because each batch of tickets has its own particular entry point so one might find himself being denied entry, even if the ticket is genuine,” said Ndebele.

Last month, a police officer was arrested after he was found in possession of untorn entry tickets during a match between Highlanders and FC Platinum.  This came a few months after another police officer from Mzilikazi Police Station was caught accepting a $3 bribe from three fans so that they could all enter to watch a Highlanders and Dynamos clash. The police officer, Bishop Mwembe, in a bid to conceal evidence, tried to swallow the $1 note.

Meanwhile, 6,555 fans paid their way to watch Highlanders and Harare City share the spoils on Sunday.