Sports and Games

Wanderers CEO attacker arrested

Wanderers CEO attacker arrested

Blantyre-based man Cecil Malunga has been arrested in Blantyre for assaulting Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Chief Executive Officer Panganeni Ndovi.

Blantyre Police Station Public Relations Officer Peter Mchiza confirmed the development Monday.

“We have arrested Cecil Malunga, 45, on suspicion that he committed an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm which is contrary to section 254 of the penal code,” Mchiza said.

Mchiza said the incident happened on Saturday when Ndovi was driving along Chikwawa road from Mpemba direction towards Blantyre City.

“When he reached Green Corner Puma filling Station, he found a queue of vehicles waiting for fuel. Because of this, Mr Ndovie drove slowly. “While in slow motion, Mr Ndovie was confronted by the suspect who was also on the fuel queue. The suspect started assaulting him and he finally pulled him off from his vehicle and in the process, he sustained a shoulder dislocation and some bruises,” he said.

The Blantyre Police spokesperson said Ndovi escaped from the place leaving his vehicle behind.

“He reported the matter to Blantyre Police where he was immediately referred to the hospital and he was treated as an outpatient.

“Police CID personnel from Manase Police unit instituted investigations and, preliminarily, discovered that the two have had a long time misunderstandings over football affairs at Wanderers,” he said.

Malunga hails from Kadikira Village, Traditional Authority Kunthembwe in Blantyre District.

Meanwhile, Wanderers yesterday released a statement condemning the incident.

“This cowardly act, which is linked to football related matters, is a gross violation of the fundamental right to personal safety and security. Such behavior has no place in the modern era of football and undermines the progress we strive to achieve in football.

“We categorically state that Mighty Wanderers Ltd and its affiliates, should never be intimidated or fear that their quest to develop the game will be jeopardized by the actions of thugs and hoodlums who masquerade as football fans and supporters,” the statement which has been signed by Wanderers Board Secretary and Legal Advisor Chancy Gondwe reads.