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NMB Stadium Management To Take Urgent Steps To Avoid Repeat Pitch Breaches

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The Mandela Bay Development Agency, through its NMB Stadium operations team welcomed the opportunity to showcase the Bay as an ideal sporting destination of choice. The culmination of our collective efforts with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and negotiations with the South African Football Association led to the confirmation the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as host venue.

Related: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium’s ‘Shambolic Security’ Slammed

With just over two weeks’ turnaround time, the stakeholders developed a comprehensive implementation plan in line with the categorization of the event. In the final days leading to the event, and especially on the day of the event, a significant spike in ticket sales was observed, and contingency plans were then put in place. Such contingency plans included adjusting the levels of security deployments.

We can confirm that the security deployment contingent on the day was competent and in line with safety requirements as per categorization. The unfortunate incidents of pitch invasions are regrettable and unacceptable, and for that, as hosts we humbly apologies to all our stakeholders, fans and both national teams. A whopping 35 000 spectators filled the NMB Stadium, and the behavior of the crowd was celebratory and overwhelmingly compliant. The isolated actions of pitch invasion, though condemned in the strongest terms, are unfortunately a common feature at high profile events across the world.

Preliminary reports indicate the lapse in response time from the security personnel deployed in the field due to attention drawn to the outer perimeter where late arriving spectators were pushing through the gates. We will allow the security provider to conduct a comprehensive assessment, and a report will be tabled at a preplanned debriefing as per normal procedures. We are confident that out of the assessment, long-term solutions and preventative steps will be strengthened to ensure that such incidents are completely prevented.

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NMB Communications

Media Communications at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality Communications Department is responsible for communicating pertinent Municipal news from Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch. Municipality Contact Details. See more articles by NMB Communication's.