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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Referees’ Committee has condemned recent attacks on match officials, with the vice-chairman Gladmore Muzambi urging the police to protect their members.

ZRC hope Zifa will descend hard on players such as Victoria Falls Tigers defender Lethukuthula Mathe, who assaulted referee Bekezela Makeka during his team’s 0-1 loss to Amagagasi in a Southern Region Division One League match on Sunday.

Mathe went berserk and punched Makeka several times for showing him a red card for a crude tackle on an Amagagasi player.The attack was captured on video and is trending on social media platforms.

“It is very disturbing to see match officials being subjected to such abuse. As the referees’ committee, we condemn such acts in strong terms and hope the powers that be deal with these issues once and for all,” said Muzambi.

“I for one have seen a referee dying at the hands of unruly people.  Showman Tsuro died after he was assaulted at Acturus Mine Club long back. If nothing is done about these latest attacks on referees, it will be bad because no one will want to risk their life.” Muzambi also launched a scathing attack on club officials that he alleged were at the forefront of referees’ attacks.

“There are requirements that there should be police details at every game and we’re appealing to the police to be there. There is also need to embark on educational campaigns targeting players and team officials, who are setting a bad example to their players and supporters. What people should also know is that referees are human beings and as such they make genuine mistakes,” Muzambi said.

Mathe is the second player in the Southern Region Division One League to assault a referee within a week after Artwell Nyoni of Technosphere reportedly attacked referee Mhaka Magare during his team’s 0-1 loss to Amagagasi last week.

Our Harare Bureau yesterday reported that there is also an assault case pending in the Northern Region Division One League where a referee was attacked when Mushowani Stars hosted Herentals. Northern Region boss Willard Manyengavana said they were waiting for a police report as the matter was reported to the police.

“We need to act fast and this issue should be resolved before the next fixture as it may inconvenience other teams. Remember Herentals are in the championship race so delaying the ruling will not be fair to them and their rivals. We will collect the police report and leave everything to the disciplinary committee,” said Manyengavana.

The Eastern Region Division One League match between Yadah Stars and Tenax at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare was last week abandoned after 20 minutes when the referee awarded a penalty to the latter. The hosts stormed off the pitch in protest.

Ugly scenes were witnessed at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday in a match between Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum Stars when the platinum miners’ players menacingly mobbed referee Philani Ncube, who had awarded Bosso a late penalty. Ngezi Platinum players confronted the referee led by captain Liberty Chakoroma and Washington Pakamisa and only the intervention of their teammate Patson Jaure probably prevented them from physically attacking the referee.

@ZililoR