New Absa Premiership champions Kaizer Chiefs finished their season in style following a 2-0 win against Chippa United in Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Unfortunately the celebrations were marred when fans invaded the pitch and one innocent fan was shot dead by a SAPS member involved in a scuffle with two other fans attempting to steal the member’s firearm.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has confirmed that they will investigate the shooting incident which took place at about 17:00 on Friday afternoon, 9 May 2015, at a PSL soccer match between Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
In their statement the Independent Police Investigative Directorate said; “Spectators stormed onto the field after the match ended whilst preparations were being made for the presentation of trophies. The number of security guards deployed was not sufficient and public order police members present at the stadium were deployed to assist with the controlling of the storming crowd towards the presentation area.”
It is alleged that it was during this time that two spectators became physically involved with a police member and grabbed his firearm from his holster. A scuffle ensued and a shot went off. A spectator not involved in the scuffle, a male in his mid-thirties sustained a gunshot wound and was treated on the scene by medical personnel, but he sadly passed away. The SAPS has expressed sincere condolences to his family and friends and will release his name as soon as confirmation is received that his next of kin has been notified.
In reply the management of Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth moved swiftly to distance themselves from any suggestion of blame for the death of the fan and, according to Chantal du Pisani, CEO of Access Management, “The ratio of security guards were [was] well within the accepted norm for Nelson Mandela Bay rugby and soccer matches”.
du Pisani went on to say; “The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for visitors and spectators alike. Sadly, we have to announce that for the first time in the history of the stadium, a spectator died during the Premier Soccer League match between Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United of 9 May 2015.”
“We maintained sufficient security to look after the safety of crowd. All steps, policies and procedures were followed prior, during and after the match to ensure the safety of fans, continued du Pisani.
du Pisani’s version of the events differed from the SAPS as she said; “Despite tight security and crowd control efforts, the euphoric spectator breached the stadium moat and bypassed security officials. Police immediately intervened. We have conveyed our condolences to the family, and are working closely with officials in this instance.”
The man, named as 29-year-old Capetonian Ntandazo Mbenje, died on the way to the ambulance.
Alan Straton
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It is tragic that a spectator got shot, but he should not have been there in the first place.