JOHANNESBURG – On April 11 the Premier Soccer League (PSL) remembers the football supporters who lost their lives during the Ellis Park disaster on this day in 2001.
The day marks a 13-year anniversary of the Ellis Park stadium disaster when 43 fans lost their lives, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) said.
There was already a 60 000 capacity crowd in the stadium, but reports suggested that a further 30 000 fans were trying to gain entry to the stadium.
The PSL Chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza said, “As the League, we will never forget the Ellis Park tragedy, a sad day in our football history.
“Every year we remind ourselves and the lessons it offered. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of those football supporters who lost their lives.”
According to Kaizer Chiefs’ facebook page, Chairman Mr Kaizer Motaung lamented the fateful night, “The memories of that night will never be erased in our minds and our deepest heartfelt condolences will forever go to the bereaved families of the disaster.
“The Ellis Park Disaster will remain a terrible moment in our football history. The people who passed on that night will forever be remembered.”
The 43 football-lovers who lost their lives:
Madikana Samuel Selepe, 39, Diepsloot
Johannes Mandla Mthembu, 36, Palm Springs, Vaal
Johannes Motlasi Letsoara, 35, Potchefstroom
Sphiwa Esrome Mpungose, 13, Burgersdale, West Rand
Ivan Jeffrey Bezuidenhout, 39, Potchefstroom
Mbulelo Diniso, 25, Orlando East
Veleta Eunice Mouton, 26, Windmill Park, East Rand
Rosswin Andre Nation, 11, Ennerdale Pretty
Lephina Phatsisi, 26, Balfour
Jabu Maliyon Mkhize, 33, Delmas
Alpheus Sethlake, 41, Alexandra
Gideon Mudau, 34, Kromdraai, Midrand
Jabulisile Xaba, 25, Berea, Johannesburg
Danny Tigerls, 30, Pietersburg
Angelina Mncube, 28, Joubert Park, Johannesburg
Callistus Dumisani Dube, 29, Balfour Park, Johannesburg
Mduduzi Thomo, 27, Jabulani, Soweto
Tsietsi Daniel Wae, 54, Kagiso
Michael Tsolo Nyakane, 41, Orkney
Steven Modise Tshetlo, 42, Delpark, East Rand
Calvin Arnolds, 34, Ennerdale
Lefa James Lefera, Gauteng
Rakgabo Frans Shongoane, 34, Pretoria
Ernest Mandla Moyo, 33, Berea, Johannesburg
John Oupa Mbambata, 34, Delareyville
Deborah Selina Maphanga, 25, Duduza
Thandi Merrium Thabethe, 23, Standerton
Abel Tshabangu, 35, Diepkloof, Soweto
Elias Ngomane, 21, Johannesburg
Nkosana Elliot Hlongwane, 40, Katlehong
Nhlanhla Meshack Zulu, 30, Duduza
Raymond Mfana Gwala, 47, Zamdela
Senki Jacob Mzizi, 47, Tsakane
Stanley Tshikovhi, Tembisa
Selaala Pae Maloma, Schoononborg
Gugu Majozi, Jabulani, Soweto
Maggie Luthuli, Protea Glen, Soweto
Robert Molako, Atteridgeville
Kenneth Msimango, Thokoza
Frans More, Dobsonville
Jabulane Raymond Baloi, Tembisa
Bafana Isaac Mabuza, Tembisa
Mampo Rinah Ntsoane, Berea, Johannesburg
