PIETERSBURG – A heavy fine was imposed on an affiliate of the Vodacom Promotional League, Kiwi Double Seven, for breaking the camera of a reporter of Mirror Newspaper, Mr Frank Mavhungu. The association's disciplinary hearing was held in Pietersburg on Sunday.

The incident relating to the case took place during the league match between Gezane Arsenal and Kiwi Double Seven at the Malamulele Stadium on Saturday, November 17, last year. During the game the officials of Double Seven started to attack the referee with vulgar words, accusing him of favouritism.

It all started after Gezane had scored their first goal. The situation took an ugly turn when the referee, Mr Collins Netshiongolwe, blew the half-time whistle. Angry officials and players confronted the lone referee and his assistants saying they were tired of the trio's unbalanced way of handling the game.

During the incident a reporter from Mirror, Mr Frank Mavhungu, who was at the scene, produced his camera with a view to capture the dramatic moment. The mob turned on the innocent reporter before he could take any pictures. Suddenly one of the officials of the team, Mr Khazamula Thomas Maceke (43), grabbed the camera from the reporter and tried to remove the film by force. He later hit it against the pavement.

Extensive damage was caused to the instrument. The matter was reported to the police and Maceke was arrested a little later. He spent the whole weekend in jail until he appeared in the Malamulele Magistrate's court on Monday, November 19.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing malicious damage to property. The court ordered him to pay an amount of R10 800 to Mavhungu or Mirror for the damage caused to the camera. He was also sentenced to spend three months in jail. This sanction was, however, suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit the same offence during his suspension period.

During their appearance before the disciplinary committee on Sunday, the representatives of Double Seven pleaded guilty on their charge of bringing the league into disrepute. Speaking in mitigation the officials pleaded with the committee to be lenient to the club saying they have already paid an amount of R10 800 to Mirror towards the replacement of the damaged camera, as ordered by the court. The DC then ordered Double Seven to pay an amount of R10 800 to Mirror as compensation for the damage they had caused to the camera. This sanction was wholly suspended for two seasons.