By Rex Mphisa
HARDROCK FC has suspended its chief executive officer Kudzanai Hove after his arrest by police in connection with barbaric scenes that rocked Kwekwe’s Chahwanda Stadium on Sunday during a football match between that team and Dynamos FC.
In a press statement released early on Wednesday the Kwekwe based team said it was resolved Hove be suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
“Hardrock FC leadership has resolved to suspend Mr. Hove for an indefinite period pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. We strongly condemn all acts of violence and vandalism. Such conduct is contrary to the values of the club and has no place in football,” said a press release from the club by communications official Bruce Chikuni.
“As Hardrock FC, we will work closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that everyone who played a role in causing the abandonment of the fixture is brought to book. We remain committed to cooperating fully with the investigation and to upholding the integrity of the game.”
Chikuni said Hardrock extends its apologies to supporters of both teams, the wider football community, and the public for the regrettable events that occurred.
On Tuesday police in Kwekwe arrested Hove in a high profile catch expected to unlock delicate detail of the hooliganism that rocked Chahwanda stadium Hardrock and Dynamos football clubs match.
Already the home team has been found wanting as regards deployment where between 20 and 40 officers were assigned for a highly volatile match needing up to 90 cops.
Hardrock CEO Kudzanai Hove was detained by police Tuesday as investigations widened to establish how the violence started.
In a statement late Tuesday national police spokesman Senior Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed Hove’s arrest.
“The ZRP confirms the arrest of the CEO of Hardrock FC, Kudzanai Hove (44), in connection with the violence at Chahwanda Stadium on 24/05/26. More information will be released in due course,” said Nyathi.
In videos circulating, Hove, 44, was captured pinning a person dressed in Dynamos colours subjecting him to relentless barbaric attacks by supporters of his team.
This left the helpless fan vulnerable to attacks from the home fans.
Hove was arrested Tuesday and is the most high-profile figure to be nabbed in the police operation, which has followed the violent disturbances.
A number of fans were injured and received treatment at hospita where some were admitted due to the gravity of their injuries.
Police believe Hove will lead them to the arrest of more hooligans from the mining town of Kwekwe.
Nyathi said police operation will be “without fear or favour,” saying officers are still working to determine exactly what transpired.
“Police are casting their net wider with a view to know what exactly transpired. Anyone linked to the violence will be brought to book and face the wrath of the law without fear or favour,” said Nyathi.
Police deployment, he said, was agreed following meetings with Hardrock management where it was recommended that 90 officers were needed for such a high-profile game but 80 officers were eventually approved.
Hardrock management reduced the number to between 20 and 40 who failed to contain the ugly scenes witnessed at and after the match.
Nyathi said soccer team authorities should not interfere with the management of public order.
“As for this match in particular, Hardrock FC management brought down the number of police officers from the agreed 80 to 40 police officers.”
The match was abandoned while the teams were level at 1–1 through a controversial penalty, the final blow that torched the violence.
Earlier Dynamos fans grew restless when a Hardrock kit manager stood at the centre of the pitch for almost three hours in what is believed a juju stunt.
Several stakeholders have condemned the violence which appears to have followed Hardrock from its Division One settings when it was blamed for violence at Bata Stadium.
The Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture said it is concerned by the violence that led to the abandonment of the Premier Soccer League match, between Hard Rock FC and Dynamos FC, at Chahwanda on Sunday 24 May 2026.
“Such incidents threaten the safety of players, officials, and supporters, and undermine the integrity of our sport. As Government, we deplore such incidents that undermine our efforts to bring international football back into the country. We call upon soccer loving Zimbabweans to focus on the bigger picture,” the Secretary of the Ministry said in a statement.
“We commend both ZIFA and PSL for their prompt response and support their ongoing efforts to promote discipline, safety, and respect in football. It is vital that all stakeholders, clubs, fans, security agencies, and the community should work together to foster a culture of dialogue and collective ownership of our sporting infrastructure, which is built for both spectators and players to utilise alike. Sporting infrastructure is capital intensive and a result of huge sacrifice on the part of the investors, both public and private players alike. Accordingly, we must guard jealously against any form of vandalism of these facilities for the benefit of current and future generations,” said the statement.