From: glen mccready 
  To: 0xdeadbeef@substance.blackdown.org
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 15:12:41 -0500

Forwarded-by: William Knowles <erehwon@kizmiaz.dis.org>

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) [2.23.99] A South African referee shot
and killed a player during a soccer match after the player, angry over
a disputed goal, lunged at him with a knife, police said Tuesday. 

Isaac Mkhwetha, the 20-year-old captain of the local Wallabies soccer
team, was fatally wounded on the field in front of 600 spectators. 

Referee Lebogang Petrus Mokgethi, 34, appeared in court Tuesday and
pleaded not guilty to the killing, said police Capt. Louis Jacobs.  He
was released on bail pending an April 1 court appearance. The shooting
occurred Saturday in a stadium in Hartbeesfontein, a black township
125 miles southwest of Johannesburg, after the Try Agains, another
local team, scored against the Wallabies.  Some Wallabies fans ran
onto the field to protest the goal, which had cut the Wallabies' lead
to 2-1, Jacobs said. 

During the commotion, Mokgethi retrieved his licensed 9 mm pistol,
which he had given to a friend, police said. 

Mkhwetha left the field, got a knife and lunged at the referee, who
shot Mkhwetha in the chest, Jacobs said. 

``It is easy for players and referees to get hurt during games in this
area,'' said Wallabies Manager Issac Mahlapsi. 
 
He attributed violence that occurs during many games, especially among
heavy-drinking spectators, to gambling on the township teams.