Final Whistle:Let’s stop abusing social networks

Obituaries
There is no doubt that social networks have become so powerful to the extent that they can cause an uprising in a country. Who can forget about the Arab Spring in North Africa which toppled governments in Egypt and Tunisia to name just but a few.

There is no doubt that social networks have become so powerful to the extent that they can cause an uprising in a country. Who can forget about the Arab Spring in North Africa which toppled governments in Egypt and Tunisia to name just but a few.

Report by Simba Rushwaya

Such has been the influence of sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, you name it.

The Zimbabwean football landscape was recently not spared by the robust modern technology after a hoax of the “death” of a Dynamos fan went viral on Facebook.

It had been reported that a DeMbare fan was trampled to death by Highlanders supporters in Gweru after Bosso’s  2-0 win against Hardbody in Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Ascot Stadium last week.

The social platform was so hysterical to the extent that people traded insults based on regional lines, only for it to turn out that the story was a hoax. No one was ever killed by anyone in the Midlands capital. Sad isn’t it?

In response to the news, the PSL increased security details for the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final match between Caps United and Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium today.

The top flight league panicked after Dynamos wrote to them alleging that Bosso fans were likely to attack their fans and team today after the vicious exchanges between the rival fans on Facebook. Some Dynamos fans had actually clamoured that the match be moved away from Bulawayo for fear of being attacked by Bosso fans. How nonsensical.

While the social media is a podium for interaction, it is not a reliable source of information. People have different motives when posting certain messages. Some people are there to cause chaos, like the man or woman who lied to the world that Bosso fans killed a Dynamos supporters in cold blood.

Society needs to take such kind of news with a pinch of salt because in most cases there is no verification of events. In this instance, it caused alarm and despondency.

The PSL, football fans and clubs must not take seriously some of the issues raised on social media without verification. As it is today, a dark cloud is hanging over Barbourfields Stadium because of alarmists who predicted doom and gloom. Dynamos fans are not sure if they would come out of “Emagumeni” unscathed and I bet some of them would shy away from Bulawayo and celebrate elsewhere for fear of Bosso fans if their team wins.

But whichever way someone takes this issue, I think it is naïve to act in any way because I know Zimbabweans to be peace- loving people. There is no need to panic here. Let the good times roll in the  City of Kings.

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