Rugby referee Aphiwe Mfana’s graphic report about the chaos which erupted during the ill-fated Kariega derby between Gardens and Progress has underlined the tough job officials face.
The safety risks posed by an intoxicated and uncontrollable crowd were deemed too severe by Mfana and he was forced to leave the field at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium, which is popularly known as “Die Hok”.
In the wake of recent events, EP Rugby general manager Mzi Mpofu said the abuse of referees would not be tolerated and every effort would be made to stamp it out.
He said any further infringements would result in harsh punishments and the immediate precautionary suspension of both clubs involved in any incidents.
If this disturbing trend continues, the EP Rugby Referees body will have trouble recruiting young officials to boost their ranks.
A few years ago, the abhorrent abuse of referees resulted in EP officials going on strike, which brought club rugby to a standstill.
The message driven home repeatedly by the EP Rugby Referees body is that if you do not have a referee, you do not have a game.
Referees are an easy target at club grounds, which are often open fields with insufficient security measures to protect officials from rowdy supporters.
Concerned Gardens rugby bosses have announced urgent plans to radically beef up crowd security at “Die Hok” before Saturday’s showdown against champions Kruisfontein United.
Gardens provided details of a security revamp after Kruisfontein officials expressed reservations about playing a crunch Grand Challenge Top 12 match at “Die Hok” on Saturday.
Mfana’s chilling report came after EP rugby bosses announced it had banned “Die Hok” from hosting Grand Challenge derby fixtures between Gardens and Progress until significant security upgrades were completed.
SA Rugby bosses have asked EP to provide them with a detailed report on what turned out to be one of the darkest days in SA’s rugby history.
EP president George Malgas said everyone had the right to feel safe at a rugby match and measures must be put in place to ensure this happened.
Events at “Die Hok” clearly show referees deserve much more respect and protection.
The Herald
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