Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS say the violence that stopped Sunday’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash against Hardrock may not be the only issue requiring scrutiny after the club raised concerns over match commissioner Ruzive Ruzive’s conduct during and after the chaos at Chahwanda Stadium.
As injured supporters were receiving treatment and club officials waited for direction over the fate of the match, Dynamos officials claim Ruzive repeatedly broke away for discussions with Hardrock chairman Wellington Mpandare, meetings they now say left them with more questions than answers.
The violence itself had already left the match in chaos. Now Dynamos are questioning whether events that unfolded afterwards are a cause for concern.
Sunday’s fixture was abandoned after crowd trouble erupted at the Kwekwe venue.
The violence reportedly began in the stands after missiles were thrown towards Dynamos supporters. Witnesses say the situation quickly escalated before spilling onto the field of play as supporters scrambled for safety.
Several supporters were injured as chaos spread around the stadium, forcing players and match officials to retreat to the changing rooms before police eventually moved in.
With the stadium nearly empty and confusion surrounding the abandoned match, attention turned to Ruzive and whether the game could continue.
Sources said there had initially been discussions around restarting the game from the 81st minute. But with the match having already started 30 minutes late and fading light becoming a concern, that option eventually fell away.
Dynamos officials say frustration grew as they waited for clarity over whether the game would resume or be called off.
Their discomfort, according to club sources, centred on repeated meetings between Ruzive and Mpandare while club officials waited for communication around the next steps.
Ruzive’s report is expected to form part of the material that could influence the PSL disciplinary process, making the handling of events after the violence a major point of concern for Dynamos.
The Harare giants now fear the optics of those interactions could raise further questions around how events were handled after the match descended into chaos.
A member of the Dynamos leadership said:
“We condemn all forms of violence in football. It’s unfortunate when it is the CEO of a rival club who is involved in beating other teams’ fans.
“Then the conduct of match commissioner Ruzive Ruzive left a lot to be desired. We were uncomfortable seeing him with Hardrock chairman Wellington Mpandare at every turn as they were holding seemingly endless meetings. You wonder why and how that should be the case after such unfortunate circumstances led to the premature end to a match.”
Dynamos have since submitted a report requested by the Premier Soccer League, while Hardrock are expected to do the same before the matter proceeds to the league’s disciplinary structures.
Ruzive could not immediately be reached for comment, while Hardrock had not responded to the concerns by the time of publication.
