Kaizer Chiefs condemn Naturena protest, hand evidence to police

The Soweto giants moved quickly to address the situation after videos and interviews circulated widely on social media in the aftermath of the protest.

Club officials confirmed that the matter has been taken seriously and that certain remarks made after the demonstration have now been handed over to authorities for further investigation.

Speaking on behalf of the club, corporate communications manager Vina Maphosa reiterated that the club understands the frustrations of supporters, particularly during a difficult run of results, but insisted that the manner in which the protest unfolded crossed the line.

"As Kaizer Chiefs, we value our supporters deeply and recognise their passion over the last 56 years," Maphosa said, as quoted by Sowetan.

"We would like to acknowledge the recent performances on the pitch have been challenging and we are, as a collective, working tirelessly to turn the situation around."

Maphosa also confirmed that interviews given by protest organiser Diakanya Makgato following the demonstration have been submitted to police. According to the club, some of the comments made after the protest included threats and ultimatums directed at the organisation.

"While we respect the rights of the fans to voice their concerns, we strongly condemn the actions that followed the protest organised by Makgato and those who accompanied him," Maphosa explained.

He added that some individuals present at the gathering were allegedly intoxicated, creating a potentially dangerous environment and contributing to chaos during the protest.

The club further raised concern over verbal attacks directed at members of recognised supporters' branches, emphasising that intimidation and threats against fellow fans would not be tolerated.

Maphosa clarified that although the club works closely with organised branches, it still recognises and values supporters who are not affiliated with official structures.

The club also accused Makgato of spreading information in media interviews that did not match the contents of the document handed to club representatives during the protest.

"We urge supporters to engage constructively rather than through misinformation and destruction," Maphosa said.

Despite the unrest, the club stressed that its main focus remains on improving results on the field, while working with law enforcement to ensure that future matches remain safe for all supporters, including families and children attending games.