BB fans attack former player over gate money remarks

A simmering exchange of threats has ensued in Big Bullets as camps emerge seeking control of the domestic football powerhouse some consider as a cash cow.

Bullets ex-midfielder Rahim Ishmael has twice received threats for being critical of some fans and the Malinda Chinyama-led executive committee. But Chinyama and general secretary Higger Mkandawire have also been haunted by threatening text messages.

Ishmael had during radio interview ruled out rejoining the club, claiming supporters and officials were building houses using gate collections while players languish in abject poverty.

Ishmael’s ordeal started at around 10pm on Friday when he received an unwelcome visitor [name withheld] at his Ndirande Township home, threatening him over an interview he granted an MBC live match commentary team on Wednesday at Kamuzu Stadium.

“He told my guard that he wanted to see me, but I refused to come out of the house at that awkward hour. I, instead, invited him in, but he said he was afraid of dogs. I eventually came out only for him to shower me with insults, saying I accused him of building houses using gate collections.

“This surprised me because during the radio interview, I did not mention names. He even said ‘ndiwe mphawi, umakhala palendi, [you are pauper, just a tenant],” Ishmael said in an interview on Monday.

Ishmael reported the matter to Ndirande Police Station the following day. Before going to police, he confronted the supporter, who he claimed, was apologetic for overreacting despite having never listened to the radio interview.

“But yesterday [Monday] as I was taking a stroll in Ndirande together with Grant Lungu, a Bullets fan together with a Wanderers supporter confronted me. I avoided them as they were at a drinking joint, which could spark more trouble. I told them that I did not mention names and ‘ngati mukudana nazo ndiye kuti mukupangadi, [if you are bitter, then you are involved in the gate fraud],” Ishmael added.

Another former Bullets player shared Ishmael’s concerns claiming supporters manage gate collections, pocketing over K100 000 each from the gate proceeds while a player goes home, for example, with K3 000. This could not be verified.

Southern Region Police Headquarters spokesperson Nicholas Gondwa yesterday said they were investigating the threats made on Ishmael and also on Malinda and Mkandawire, whose complaint was referred to Soche Police Station.

One of the Soche Police officers who handled the complaints confirmed yesterday: “We have since copied the text messages. We also treated Ishmael’s threats seriously as a reference in case something happens. We called Higger [Mkandawire] and the supporters to the station and advised them to resolve the matter amicably.”

Mkandawire said Ishmael had not officially complained to Bullets executive committee over the threats and advised him that being a Bullets son, he should desist from airing his views on air as people make different interpretations. The GS copied the SMS threats to The Nation.

“Mukumaatuma achina [name withheld] kuti ampange attack Rahim. Kodi mukukakamira chani? Za mpira ndizosiyirana, iweyo Higger ndi anzako Chinyama musiye sitikukufunani. Muyerekeze kumpanga attack Rahim, tibwera ku office kwako komweko tilipotu ambiri ife ndipo mwadya nthawi yanu yatha. Usankhe ntchito kapena

Bullets,” reads one of the phone text messages to Mkandawire.

Bullets supporters committee chairperson Geoffrey Mbalati said a rival camp has emerged in the team and that some people are being used to destabilise the team now that it is back on its feet “when the same people, who want positions now, deserted it when it was in a mess”.