Newly appointed PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu is working quickly to address the legal issues in the league starting by charging Kaizer Chiefs for the two matches they were unable to honour in December.
Chiefs failed to show for their December fixtures at home to City and away against Arrows due to an outbreak of more than 50 Covid-19 cases that shut down their headquarters in Naturena, despite not getting permission from the league to do so.
After the resignation of former prosecutor Nande Becker in November, Majavu promised a more open process with clear communication and has kept his promise by quickly moving to charge Chiefs, Cape Town City and Lamontville Golden Arrows.
The Citizens pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing for the DStv Premiership match they won 3-2 against Maritzburg United on December 7, which was played under protest by the KwaZulu-Natal team after the Cape side’s player registration cards were stolen while Arrows have been charged with fielding an ineligible player.
“Kaizer Chiefs have been charged in relation to their non-fulfilment of the two fixtures as a result of the allegations that most of their players had tested positive,” Majavu said on Wednesday evening. “The case has been enrolled for hearing on January 21 at 6pm.”
“Cape Town City was duly charged and appeared before the DC earlier today. The respondent club, City, pleaded guilty as charged and were duly convicted. Submissions with regard to the appropriate sanction were also made by all relevant parties, and in that regard, the final sanction is reserved by the DC.The indication is that such a sanction would be received by no later than Wednesday,” said Majavu.
Arrows were charged with fielding an ineligible player, Simo Mbhele. Majavu did not expand on the case.
“That case has been enrolled for hearing on January 20 at 6pm,” he said.
“As soon as these matters have been finalised I will once again communicate the outcomes thereof. Alternatively if there any developments in these matters I will similarly communicate those.”
Majavu said in the intervening period he would not be drawn into “any running commentary beyond giving updates on the particular milestones” on any of the matters.