Highlanders slammed the Zimbabwe Republic Police for firing tear smoke resulting in the abandonment of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.
The match was abandoned in the 84th minute when police fired teargas towards fans that had invaded the pitch and retreated to the stands as action was about to resume.
In a statement, Bosso condemned the conduct of police officers who were entrusted with the responsibility to provide security during the match.
The statement reads:
“Highlanders Football Club would like to condemn in the strongest sense, the conduct of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers who were entrusted with the responsibility to provide security during a Premier Soccer League match between FC Platinum and Highlanders at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.
“The club understands ZRP to be a stakeholder of the game whose mandate is to provide security for players, officials and the fans.
“While the club does not condone pitch invasion and missile throwing by a section of football fans, it was unnecessary for ZRP to throw tear smoke towards fans as this behaviour ended up affecting players, officials and some innocent fans. The act was against the basic principles of crowd management and as a result, the victims were players and officials who purported to protect.
As if that was not enough, ZRP further went on a rampage, assaulting innocent fans outside the stadium and in some instances damaging vehicles they perceived to be belonging to, and ferrying Highlanders’ fans,” read Highlanders’ statement.
Bosso took the opportunity to assure their members, fans and stakeholders of their commitment to the values of Ubuntu, which encompasses ethics such as self-respect and respect for others.
We further take this opportunity to empathise with all innocent victims of yesterday’s acts of violence and condemn those individuals involved in the act of pitch invasion and missile throwing.”
