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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede has reiterated that payment of police officers on duty at football matches is outrageous and appealed to the new Minister of Sports and Recreation, Makhosini Hlongwane, to address the matter.
The veteran football administrator also said figures clubs were paying for use of municipal grounds were very high and affected their income. Speaking at the Highlanders’ weekly Press conference at the club’s offices yesterday, Gumede appealed to the Minister to help the clubs by addressing the issue.
“We are happy the new Minister has already hit the ground running. Perhaps he can talk to his colleagues, especially the new Minister of Home Affairs (Ignatius Chombo), to completely remove the payment of police, it’s really outrageous,” said Gumede, who has tried before without success.
He said in the past, police were not paid as individuals, but a certain percentage was paid into the police welfare fund.
Clubs have been making calls for the payment of police to be stopped saying it was milking them dry in every home fixture.
The police are paid hourly and their rates depend on the police detail’s rank in the force.
Gumede has previously failed to convince police commanders into thinking along the same lines as him.
He once wrote to Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri last year, but his request was turned down and he later threatened to take his crusade to President Robert Mugabe.
“Please be advised that your request for the ZRP to review the rates paid to the police details for providing security during football matches at stadiums has not been approved by the commissioner-general. This position has been caused by circumstances beyond the ZRP control. ZRP wishes Highlanders Football Club a successful 2014 season campaign,” was the response from ZRP spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba on behalf of Chihuri last year.
However, Gumede believes Minister Hlongwane’s language is full of promise.
“The new Minister is talking good language. He can even go further by advocating for a one percent sports levy on every worker in the country,” said Gumede.
Minister Hlongwane, who replaced Andrew Langa last week, spelt out five major pillars his ministry would concentrate on to restore the good image of local sport.
The five pillars are administration, infrastructure development, grassroots development, setting up a development fund and training.
“The amount of monies that are getting out before the main actors get their share are really shocking,” said Gumede.
He said in Highlanders’ last league match against Flame Lily at Barbourfields Stadium, over $7,000 was realised from gate takings, but the club remained with just over $1,000.
“Our match expenses were $1,400 so as you can see, that game was a loss for us,” he said.
Online Reporter