The Safa Vhembe Regional League has suspended all homes matches for Ngwenani Young Chiefs and Maranzhe Hungry Lions until the two clubs appear before the league's disciplinary committee. This follows two separate incidents that occurred during the league games between Ngwenani Young Chiefs and SMSA FC and Maranzhe Hungry Lions vs Tshambobvu Junior Aces, which were played over the weekend of 23 and 24 April.
The game between Young Chiefs and SMSA was played at the Tshedza School Grounds in Thohoyandou, while the Maranzhe and Tshambobvu match was played at the Maranzhe Grounds.
The referee who was officiating in the game between Young Chiefs and SMSA, Mr Mpho Mphigalale, was assaulted by the fans of Hungry Lions towards the end of the game. The assault followed after SMSA had scored an equalising goal in the dying minutes of the game. The fans, players and officials of Young Chiefs ran amok after the goal and assaulted the referee. They argued that the goal was illegitimate on the basis that their keeper had been kicked before the goal was scored.
The incident that occurred at the Maranzhe Grounds happened shortly after the game. According to the statement from the league, the fans and players of Junior Aces were brutally assaulted by an angry mob after the final whistle.
Upon receipt of the match reports from the clubs and match officials, the league immediately informed Young Chiefs and Hungry Lions that all their remaining home matches were suspended until they appeared before the league's disciplinary committee.
During an interview with the general secretary of Safa Vhembe Regional League, Mr Samuel Matodzi, he revealed that the league would expedite the disciplinary process to avoid unnecessary delays to conclude the league programme.