Kaizer Chiefs have issued an official statement after the recent protest at Naturena Village, which the club states the alleged leader made with ill intentions and threats of violence.
This past weekend, social media and new channels were abuzz with news of statements from Diakanya Makgato, who stated a memorandum was handed to the club amidst a poor run of form, as they expressed their displeasure at the current leadership.
Calls were made for technical team changes and Amakhosi state what was communicated to them and handed over, does not translate what was grandstanded in the aftermath to the media on radio and national television stations.
“The recent performances have been challenging, we’re working as a collective, tirelessly to change the situation around, we’re committed to that and emphasise that, and as you’re all aware we had a few people who stages a or a march at the Village on Saturday,” Chiefs Media and Communications Officer Alpheus ‘Vina’ Maphosa said on Thursday morning at Naturena Village.
“It was led by a gentleman named Diakanya ‘Ronald’ Makgato, who isolated himself and made himself viral, so it’s worth mentioning his name. While we express the right of fans to voice their concerns, we strongly condemn, in no uncertain terms, the actions that followed the protest, organised by Makgota and those accompanied by him.
“Amongst those we figured out that some were intoxicated, which posed a danger and created some chaos in the proceedings, with threats of violence and ultimatums, directed at the club, through various interviews conducted by Makgota after the protest, are unacceptable and not be tolerated at Chiefs.”
Maphosa went on to confirm the ring-leader has been reported to the police with recordings of his recent viral interviews with the intent of keeping a safe space for supporters at upcoming matches while looking to improve the results to bring a turnaround in emotions from the Amakhosi faithful.
“We accept that not all people belong to supporters branches, we also strongly comdemn verbal attacks directed at disciplined Kaizer Chiefs supporters who belong to organised structures or branches, recognised by the club, that doesn’t mean we don’t recognise supports not affiliated in branches or social media platforms,” he added.
“Name calling and threats of violence directed at branch members will also not be tolerated, if we encounter such characters we will be forced to take matters further, there’s been certain untruths spread by Makgota, which are not contained in the document him and his compatriots presented on Saturday.
“He portrayed and gave interviews on TV and radio that changed the tune, playing to the gallery and wanted to go viral – he represented himself as someone who is coming to support the team, wants to avoid violence, he made that clear to us with his marches, but on radio he gave ultimatums with threats of violence at stadiums.
“We call for calm and best behaviour at matches, as we have been doing in the past and we inform the public and those planning to cause violence at stadiums, that we have handed the interviews that Makgota has done, to the police so that he can account, should there by any acts of violence and distructive behaviour.
“We hope it can be dealt with accordingly, together with the police, wrong-doers, or those with bad intentions, causing violence at games where there are women and children and other vulnrable groups, face the full might of the law, as the club remains committed to improving results on the pitch.”
Chiefs return to action on Sunday against Nedbank Cup semi-finalists Durban City at FNB Stadium.
