By Flata Kavinga
Kwekwe mayor Cllr Albert Zinhanga has expressed concern over damage to infrastructure at Chahwanda Stadium following violence that led to the abandonment of the Premier Soccer League match between Hardrock FC and Dynamos FC on Sunday.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of his visit to Kwekwe General Hospital to see victims injured during the disturbances, Zinhanga said barricade fences at the stadium were damaged during the chaos.
He said he intended to visit the stadium within the next few days to assess the extent of the destruction and engage stakeholders on measures to prevent similar incidents in future.
“It is very unfortunate that while we are celebrating the birth of Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe, such destruction has occurred,” said Zinhanga.
He described the stadium owner, businessman Shepherd Chawhanda, as an important investor in the city and said the damage to the facility was worrying.
“We are really worried about the destruction that happened to the property. We saw some of the barricade fences that were destroyed. I have not yet visited the stadium, but either tomorrow or Wednesday I will be at the stadium to assess the damage and see how we can help the owner and how best we can avoid such situations in future,” he said.
The violence erupted during the PSL encounter between Hardrock FC and Dynamos FC, forcing the match to be abandoned as supporters fled the disturbances. Nineteen people were reportedly injured during the stampede that followed.
