Chaos erupts as GUNSHOTS fired during ABC Motsepe playoffs

Violence erupted in chaotic scenes as gunshots were fired at the Harry Gwala Stadium during an ABC Motsepe National League playoff semi-final between Umsinga United and Orbit College on Friday.

In astonishing scenes that has gone viral across social media, security officials are shown to be clashing with those believed to be Umsinga United fans after a 1-0 defeat to Orbit College.

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Irate fans are shown throwing projectiles onto the Harry Gwala Stadium pitch immediately after the final whistle before the violence escalated to an unsavoury level.

In a dark day for South African football, retreating security officials can be seen exchanging gunfire with a section of supporters in a packed stadium.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) swiftly released a statement condemning the unprecedented violent scenes.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) strongly condemns the violent acts of hooliganism and thuggery that took place during the ABC Motsepe National Playoffs semi-finals on Friday (9 June 2023) afternoon in Pietermaritzburg.

The chaotic scenes took place at the end of a semi-final match between Umsinga United and Orbit College at Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday. We have asked security and the referee for a full report and we will prioritise the investigation into this incident.

We will vigorously pursue this matter and any individual or club that is found to be guilty will be banned for these senseless acts. Such hooliganism has no place in football.

In an already controversial playoffs involving Cape Town side Young Bafana, it is yet to be seen how authorities handle the latest incident.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zize Kodwa strongly condemned the violence while also that strong such scenes cannot happen at stadiums in the country.

"Ugly scenes of violence at Harry Gwala Stadium where gun shots are reported to have been discharged are indeed unfortunate and deserves to be condemned in their strongest possible terms," Kodwa shared on his official Twitter account.

"We can not allow incidents of such nature to unfold. As a country, we have made remarkable strides in ensuring that officials, players and supporters are safe in stadiums.

"People who behave in this nature whilst hiding under burner of a football team to me they are hooligans. If you are a supporter despite the outcome of any sporting event you must take the outcome in good strides as results are bound to go whichever way."

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