Kaizer Chiefs have launched a witch-hunt against several players suspected of leaking sensitive information to the media about racial tension among Amakhosi players, sources close to the club said this week.
Sources close to Naturena village said the club was concerned that the story about racial ructions between “coloured” and black players that was leaked to the media had the potential to undermine the reputation of the county’s biggest soccer club.
Several senior players were asked whether they knew who leaked the information. But players told management they did not know how the information found its way to the media and were equally disturbed about the leaked information.
They also vowed to assist the team to locate the Judas.
Chiefs caretaker coach Cavin Johnson poured cold water on the allegations: “Kaizer Chiefs being the brand they are, I think there are a lot of people that look to take this big brand to a lower level because in reality there’s no brand that’s as strong as this brand,” Johnson said.
“I know how to handle these things. So, when it comes to those things (race) it’s like water on a duck’s back for me because if you were born when the rainbow was black and white and now it’s colourful, then you know how to handle those. So, we don’t have any problems within our village of that nature,” he added.
The witch-hunt allegations come at a time when the club last week sanctioned its goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, for drunkenness, which was detected by the club’s officials at the team’s training session.
As if this were not enough, attacking midfielder Mduduzi Mdantsane was recently sanctioned and suspended by the club for drinking alcohol during a recent club function.
Yet, according to the source, coloured players who were caught drinking at the same function, were allowed to get off scot free without being hauled over the coals.
The source also revealed racial tensions among players were escalating, with African players complaining the “coloured” players were getting preferential treatment, with better benefits – a matter Sunday World reported on last week.
On Thursday, Khune faced a disciplinary hearing, and his fate is expected to be sealed by the club’s mandarins this week.
The source added that part of Khune’s punishment may include the former Bafana Bafana skipper donating a portion of his salary to a charity.
In 2021, Chiefs dealt with the matter of midfielder Dumsani Zuma, who was arrested for drinking and driving in Sandton. A year later, Chiefs announced Zuma’s departure.
Chiefs have had a topsy-turvy start to the 2023/24 season and have had to dismiss coach Molefi Ntseki with results not forthcoming.
They are lying on number seven on the DStv Premiership table.
Chiefs’ spokesperson Vina Maphosa declined to comment on the matter.
