Online Reporter
Petros Kausiyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARARE giants Dynamos last night came out guns blazing, demanding that the Premier Soccer League set up an independent commission to probe the mayhem that rocked their May 24 clash against Hardrock at Chahwanda in Kwekwe.
Dozens of fans were left injured, while hooligans uprooted bucket seats and caused some considerable damage to the stadium.
The PSL have since summoned both clubs to a hearing with their disciplinary committee also furnished with reports from referee of the day Mhaka Magare and match commissioner Ruzive Ruzive.
However, the Dynamos management are not amused with the manner in which the matter is being handled and through chief executive Desmond Bvute, they registered their displeasure to the PSL.
Dynamos are questioning the way the build-up to the hearing has been handled and claim only an independent judiciary body can guarantee impartiality.
Bvute noted all the Dynamos concerns in a letter to his PSL counterpart Rodwell Thabe.
“We acknowledge receipt of your correspondence dated 29 May, 2026 concerning the abandoned Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture between Hardrock FC and Dynamos FC played at Chahwanda Stadium on 24 May, 2026.
“Having carefully considered the charges preferred against Dynamos Football Club, we categorically deny all allegations levelled against the club,’’ Bvute said.
“We further submit that the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the match warrant a comprehensive and impartial investigation before any disciplinary proceedings can be fairly undertaken.
“Accordingly, Dynamos Football Club formally requests the immediate establishment of an independent Board of Inquiry to investigate the events that transpired at Chahwanda Stadium and determine the causes and responsibilities associated with the abandonment of the match.”
Bvute said Dynamos were not comfortable with the PSL’s reliance on the standard match reports that are normally compiled for an abandoned match, arguing that the nature of the mayhem at Chahwanda demands more.
“Our request is founded on the following considerations:
“Reliance on Incomplete Evidence: The charges appear to be based exclusively on reports submitted by the Match Commissioner and the Referee. We note with concern that other critical matchday reports and accounts from relevant operational stakeholders have not been considered.
“Any disciplinary process founded on selective evidence cannot be regarded as complete or fair’’.
Dynamos also contend that the PSL ought to have engaged technical security expertise in trying to determine the case.
“The allegations concern issues of safety, security management, crowd control, and stadium operations. While the Referee and Match Commissioner perform important matchday functions, neither possesses the specialist expertise required to make definitive assessments regarding security failures, crowd management protocols, or emergency response measures.
“Consequently, their conclusions on these matters should not be treated as determinative without independent expert evaluation.’’
It is against this background that Bvute believes that there is “Need for Procedural Fairness and Independence.
“By proceeding with charges before a full and independent investigation has been conducted, the League risks creating a perception that conclusions have already been reached.
“An independent Board of Inquiry is therefore necessary to establish the facts objectively and ensure that all parties receive a fair hearing in accordance with the principles of natural justice,’’ he said.
DeMbare also want due consideration to be made on their injured fans, some of whom are still hospitalised.
“Dynamos Football Club is deeply concerned that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated, while one of our supporters remains hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit following serious injuries sustained during the disturbances at Chahwanda Stadium.
“The welfare and safety of supporters should be of paramount concern to all football stakeholders.
“It is regrettable that this critical issue appears to have received insufficient attention in the League’s response to these events.
“The events at Chahwanda Stadium represent a serious matter that extends beyond football regulations and touches directly on spectator safety, stadium security, and the duty of care owed to supporters.
“We therefore believe that a thorough, transparent, and independent inquiry is the most appropriate course of action before any disciplinary determination is made.
“Dynamos Football Club remains committed to upholding the rules, values, and integrity of the game.
“However, we reserve all our rights and cannot participate in a process that appears to be based on incomplete evidence and predetermined conclusions.
“We therefore await your urgent confirmation regarding the constitution of an Independent Board of Inquiry,’’ Bvute said.
The mayhem witnessed at Chahwanda two weeks where life could have been lost, rekindled chilling memories of the darkest day in Zimbabwean football – the July 9, 2000 National Sports Stadium disaster when 13 fans died in tragic circumstances during a World Cup qualifying match between the Zimbabwe’s Warriors and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
