Saddam, a weapon of moral destruction

It would be presumptuous to think that the after-effects of being stripped of the super fan status have belatedly hit Saddam Maake, months after minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie pulled the plug on the gravy train.

But pictures that have gone viral on social media showing the self-styled Kaizer Chiefs No 1 supporter grabbing a girl — who, judging by her garb is an Orlando Pirates follower — leave one wondering out loud whether Maake was hit by delayed post-traumatic stress disorder.

The pictures were taken by South African sports photographer of the year Vino Snap during the Pirates versus Richards Bay encounter at Orlando Stadium, where the Sea Robbers solidified their storming start to the season with their seventh successive victory on Tuesday night to remain the only club yet to taste defeat this season.

The frames show Saddam not only at the forefront of a scuffle with the girl and her friend but also manhandling one of them, while spitting out a volley of verbal venom. He says the girls arrived late and started being rude towards him and his fellow Chiefs fans, a claim refuted by the girl’s father.

The father has opened a case with the police. The girls have fallen victim to vicious attacks on social media where they have been subjected to vicious unprintable expletives.

This country comes from an intolerant past, where things easily took a turn for the worse. Us men, Maake included, must not allow for an unfriendly environment to exist

It’s hard to fathom what could have possessed Maake —one of the most visible football lovers in the land — to behave like a maniac towards someone young enough to be his daughter. His behaviour was far from exemplary for a veteran football supporter more akin of a weapon of moral destruction.

Acting like a hooligan hurricane is inappropriate for someone who prides himself on being the president of the South African National Supporters body.

Maake’s son Cellular was practically raised by the family of football supporters. From the days he was a little boy, his father always took him along to the stadium. The young man has followed in his father’s footsteps and built a profile as one of the easily identifiable supporters, and has friendly relations with supporters across the club spectrum.

It is that kind of interaction that must be promoted.

This country comes from an intolerant past, where things easily took a turn for the worse. Us men, Maake included, must not allow for an unfriendly environment to exist on our watch. This action forms part of a disturbing culture that is creeping in in the name of banter. Some of it borders on barbarism, like the instance of a man in the stands pulling down his pants to expose his buttocks, whether in celebration of a goal or suggesting that the efforts of the opposing team are like passing wind. Your guess is as good as mine.  

There’s also a disturbing video taken at FNB Stadium when Mamelodi Sundowns drubbed Chiefs 0-4 in the Carling Knockout quarterfinals. It shows a man dressed in the blue shirt of The Brazilians bumping and grinding against a woman clad in a Chiefs top, who appears to be out of it. The scene seems to denote that Downs had their way with Amakhosi.  

Have we become so lame that we’re prepared to let uncouth and vile conduct pass as “banter”?  

Stadiums should be a family-friendly environment, a safe place where women and children should feel welcome. Clubs, in partnership with their sponsors, are attracting more fans to various venues through activation programmes.

This season, we’ve seen capacity crowds at most venues after sold-out signs went up just hours or days after ticket sales opened.

We should not be participants in actions that discredit our being and make people think twice about flocking to the grounds in numbers to cheer their beloved teams. There is nothing wrong with being jolly and merry and creating a carnival atmosphere at the arenas — but not like these hooligans.

• X – formerly Twitter: @bbkunplugged99