Benevolent Vono
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Dynamos fan who was pictured wielding a knife at Rufaro Stadium in Harare has been identified as Benevolent Vono, organising secretary in the club’s Harare Supporters Chapter.
Vono admitted to Chronicle Sport yesterday that it was him in the picture that has gone viral, but said he wasn’t wielding a real knife, but just a knife sheath which he was teasing Caps United supporters with at Rufaro Stadium on May 1. Caps United beat Dynamos 1-0.
The picture was initially thought to have been taken during Dynamos’ 0-1 loss to FC Platinum that ended with the Harare giants’ supporters engaging in violent running battles with the police last Sunday.
“To be frank that picture wasn’t during the FC Platinum game. Those that saw me during the FC Platinum game will tell you that I was wearing a white T-shirt. This one (when the picture was taken), I was just mocking my Caps United friends, saying I’ll Mwanjalise you (following a stabbing incident involving Caps United defender Method Mwanjali),” said Vono.
“It wasn’t the FC Platinum game because I never went to the Vietnam stand; I watched the match from the VIP enclosure.”
Asked why he went into the stadium with a knife, Vono was adamant it wasn’t a real knife.
“No, it wasn’t a knife. I can go and pick it from where I threw it away and show you. It looks like a real knife, but if I show you, you’ll be shocked. I bought that thing from a Chinese shop; it was just a sheath used to cover a knife. It’s not a real knife to be frank with you,” he said.
Although Vono denies that he is of a violent disposition, his Facebook post of May 16 betrays his protestations, as he threatens Dynamos players with a beating if they continue with their poor performance.
“Maplayers eDynamos ibvai maziva mazuva enyu ekuroveka akukwana mukaramba muchiita maitiro amurikuita. (Dynamos players know that you risk getting beaten up as the day is drawing close if you continue losing),” reads Vono’s post.