GIMC�s poor security put lives at risk
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday September 5, 2017 18:00
Even though the festival attracted a large number of crowds this year, it all came to a deadly end for at least one. Around 7pm, a number of revellers had already gathered at the gates where they fought their way in resulting in a stampede that claimed the life of a local university student.
The revellers had to use one gate to enter the venue and as a result many people could no longer wait in the queue, which led to a stampede. People who had bought golden tickets and regular tickets entered through the same gate and that caused chaos.
There was not enough security at the event and the few guards available could not control the crowd that was over excited.
A number of people broke through the barricades whilst others jumped into the golden circle through the barriers because there were no security guards in the area. Some people managed to push their way through the VIP where it is alleged that one person got stabbed.
Some thugs and other people managed to enter the venue without tickets or paying the entrance fee.
When some people were enjoying the entertainment, their partying mood was cut short by a number of thieves who had pushed their way through into the event. Patrons were harassed, mugged and assaulted. Even though there were no rape cases confirmed, there are allegations of a number of such an offence at the event.
The event coordinator, Fish Pabalinga told Showbiz on Sunday some time to gather all the information pertaining the death of a young woman and other crimes would be needed.
“I am not even sure if she died in the stadium or outside the venue therefore I cannot give you any information regarding that matter as we are awaiting investigations. I am yet to confirm with the police on that matter. People were breaking the gates and a lot of activities happened in at non-gazzetted areas,” he said.
In a public notice he released on Sunday, Pabalinga apologised for the unfortunate incidents that occurred at the event.
“Our team is working tirelessly with the relevant authorities to investigate a fatal stampede that occurred as a result of people trying to force their way into the stadium. We offer our sincere and deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. At the moment we are awaiting a detailed report about the matter and other related incidents,” he noted.
However, Central Police station commander superintendent Vincent Pitseetsile confirmed that they registered one case of death and six stabbing cases where one victim was left with severe stab wounds at the event. He said they received many theft cases where people’s phones and other valuables were stolen. One car break was reported, but there was no car theft case registered, he added.