Saturday, 14 March, turned into a nightmare for assistant referee Tsunzu Ngwenya. He was officiating in the SAFA Limpopo ABC Motsepe League match between Mukondeni Young Chiefs and Selwane White Vultures at Makhado Showgrounds when chaos erupted after the final whistle.
After the referee blew the final whistle, angry fans and officials reportedly rushed onto the pitch and chased Ngwenya. He was eventually rescued by fellow match officials and players from the home team.
The incident comes only two weeks after another controversial match involving officials in the region. A game between Musina United and Phalaborwa United ended in dispute when Phalaborwa United players and supporters accused assistant referee Evans Napo of favouritism after he disallowed a goal.
Over the past weekend, Ngwenya was allegedly assaulted with fists and other objects during the chaos. The mob claimed he denied Vultures two clear penalties and allowed Young Chiefs to score an equaliser from what they believed was an offside position without raising his flag. Ngwenya said the angry mob could have seriously injured or even killed him if it had not been for the intervention of other officials.
Mukondeni Young Chiefs’ physical trainer, Bornwise Malobo, confirmed that the match ended in a 1–1 draw when the assistant referee was allegedly attacked.
He said that during the chaos, Chiefs officials tried to calm the situation by urging their supporters who had entered the pitch to leave. “The officials and players of the home team then protected the assistant referee until he managed to escape,” Malobo said.
The administrator of the SAFA Limpopo League competition committee, Refilwe Khosa, said he was still waiting for official reports from both teams and the match officials. “Once we receive the reports, the matter will be referred to a disciplinary hearing,” Khosa said.