Referee claims he is being victimized for refusing to take bribes

A football referee in the Limpopo ABC Motsepe League has come out to make damaging claims against provincial leaders and a club owner, accusing them victimization because he ‘disobeyed instructions’ to make favours for a particular club.

Raymond Nkosi who has been officiating in local leagues since 2012 has told FARPost that he is being punished and denied an opportunity to officiate in matches because he did not do favours for ABC Motsepe League club, Ngwaabe City Motors.  

Nkosi alleges that SAFA Limpopo head of referees Magabolle Thokwane, Limpopo referee’s appointer Class Rakoma and City Motors have ganged up to destroy his refereeing career by making sure he doesn’t get any matches to officiate.

City Motors is based in Sekhukhune and coached by former Kaizer Chiefs defender Rodney Thobejane. The club is owned by local businessman Kgajane Masha.

“There was a match between City Motors and Berachah FC, it happened in 2020. Before that match everything was well but, on that day, I received a call from a team called City Motors,” Nkosi explained to FARPost.

“They asked me if I can help, like pushing them (to win). Like robbing the opponents and I said no because those guys are under the impression that we belong to them because we are also from Sekhukhune, but I said no I can’t do that.

“So, the game started and City Motors scored but in the 86th minute Berachah equalized. So, they felt like I didn’t side with them. So, after the match while on my way home I received a call – I was driving with other match officials – so I got a call from the managers of City Motors,” he said.

“They asked why am I always against them and I said no that’s not how I operate and I will never be against anyone when I am officiating my game. So those guys started shouting at me accusing me of robbing them and I said to them “ke le laile” (it serves you right) if you think I robbed you.

“So, after that, I was reported to the president (Magabolle Thokwane) and told him that I said “ke ba laile” and told him ‘This young boy said we won’t win when he is officiating’,” continued Nkosi.

“So, after that, I was expelled by my region (Sekhukhune). What is surprising is that they don’t want to have a meeting with me on why they suspended me. When I confronted the appointer of referees (Class Rakoma) he said to me I must send a letter to the president apologizing for robbing a team. I said no I can’t write such a letter, it’s better if I get suspended but I will not do that.

“This season when I was about to do a match between City Motors and Ditlou. Motors called the president (Magabolle Thokwane) and the president called the appointer to say no, you can’t appoint this guy. But I don’t know why. Ever since then I have not been appointed.”

But SAFA Limpopo head of referees Thokwane, who is also the President of SAFA Sekhukhune district, has refuted the claims and advised Nkosi to follow the proper channel to raise his concerns.

“We have never expelled Raymond Nkosi from football. If there are issues, let Raymond write to the Provincial secretary for internal investigations. So, if he doesn’t find any joy then he can come to you and report. Remember I am just overseeing the affairs of the referees, so I don’t have any right to stop anyone from officiating. Worse, the panel is done by the provincial structure. Raymond is not expelled from football,” he said.

Meanwhile, City Motors owner Kgajane Masha has advised the 25-year-old to open a case with the Police if he was offered a bribe and to stop damaging the club’s name.

“Let me put this in short, neh. I am pleading with him that if ever I have tried to make contact with him, he should go and open a case against me. I know he doesn’t properly officiate our matches but I don’t remember calling him, asking for a favour or anything. I have never done that, but if he is sure about it then he should go to a police station and tell them he is being harassed. I don’t have his number and I also don’t think he has my number as well.

“He robs our team daylight and after that says ‘it serves us right where do you think you will end?’ But in all honesty, I don’t remember confronting him or having a conversation with him about anything,” said Masha.