South African football has been rocked by a recent spate of supporter misbehaviour, highlighted during last month’s Loftus Versfeld clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, which saw no fewer than 13 people hospitalised following rioting in the venue.
And, speaking ahead of the biggest day on the PSL calendar when Kaizer Chiefs face Pirates at FNB Stadium, an irate Maake tells snl24.com/kickoff: "These days you go to the stadiums at your own risk.
“[The] PSL doesn’t protect us, they don't take action against hooliganism. Instead of counting points we now count dead bodies. The Derby is coming, who knows what is going to happen? They must arrest the troublemakers right there on the spot for us to be safe."
Maake feels it's time that members of the parliament protection service are also deployed at stadiums on matchdays.
He says: ”They must bring those parliament people who wear white shirts to come and deal with these troublemakers on Saturday, so we can feel protected. Those people don't play games with troublemakers; if you start trouble they will throw you out of the stadium.
“Some of the fans that will be there [at FNB Stadium] on Saturday, the last time they attended a soccer match was during the Black Label Cup [at the start of the season] but once they see someone throw something onto the field they will also throw.”
The theme of hooliganism continued last week when Celtic’s clash against Platinum Stars had to be temporarily halted after fans started throwing stones and bricks onto the field of play.
Maake adds: ”I don't know what went wrong with our people. For instance, [Bloemfontein] Celtic is well known for ukujayiva nokucula [dancing and singing], but what happened last week? It seems like there's a disease that has infected the whole country. They think it's fashion, they forget that some people come with their wives and children to the stadium.
“Football can no longer be used as a family outing in this country, it's too risky. You cannot destroy any stadium property just because you paid R40. Go to the stadium to support your team, if you have a short temper stay at home and watch the derby on TV.
"Don't come with high expectations but come to enjoy football. For example, we all know the last time Pirates won was in November but because it's Chiefs they will expect to win at all cost, forgetting that they've just hired a new coach who doesn't even have any idea what is a Soweto Derby. Remember, I'm just making an example."
Maake also complained about the Premier Soccer League for not caring about supporters' safety.
"Sometimes the PSL fails us as supporters as well. There are lots of cases like this that remain unsolved even to this day. Even the recent ones that involved Pirates and Celtic fans this season will end without them being solved. People got hurt in the Sundowns and Pirates match, three points doesn't equal someone's life. Those people who do these things can be clearly seen on TV but why are they not being arrested?"