PSL succumbs to government probe on FNB stampede
Government wins battle over the PSL to institute a Ministerial Commission over the FNB Stadium stampede last July.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has finally succumbed to government pressure to set up a Ministerial Committee of Inquiry into the FNB Stadium stampede on 29 July which resulted in the death of a football fan and scores being injured.
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The league had initially objected to the setting up of the committee by sports minister Thulas Nxesi, saying the league, as custodians of professional football, were better placed to institute an inquiry into the stampede.
The league then appointed Advocate Vincent Maleka SC of Thulamela Chambers to lead the inquiry but that appointment has been nullified as a result of Nxesi’s appointment of his own committee which has far-reaching powers to investigate the incident.
“In light of the institution of the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry by minister Nxesi, the PSL has come to a decision to discontinue advocate Maleka’s inquiry and throw its weight behind the ministerial committee,” said the league’s spokesperson, Luxolo September.
“This decision we have taken was inspired by the fact that some relevant role players who would have volunteered essential information to advocate Maleka were no longer prepared to do so, as they viewed this as a duplication process and were no longer willing to continue.
“The league is convinced that this ministerial commission will be best placed to establish all the facts and circumstances.”
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The unfortunate incident occurred at the Carling Black Label Champion Cup between the Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
