ETHEKWINI Mayor, Zandile Gumede had condemned the violence and destruction of property by soccer hooligans at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday after the Nedbank Cup Semi-Final between Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars.
“No amount of frustration and anger should lead one to cause violence and injure other citizens in the name of sport,” said Gumede at a media briefing earlier today.”
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“Lovers of sport are expected to understand the game better because by nature you either win or lose. If you lose nobody must be threatened and no property must be destroyed. The unfortunate events of the weekend are a bad reflection on us as a nation and we hope that the police will find all the perpetrators. This year is the year of Mandela who was a man of peace, we must at all times incarnate the values of peace, tolerance and love. We are grateful that there was no loss of life and those who were admitted to hospital were later discharged,” she said.
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Gumede said a report on damages and medical report on people injured during the violence revealed that 12 people were treated on site at the stadium.
One of these was a stadium employee who suffered minor injuries and was treated on site.
Six people were transported to hospital due to the injuries they suffered and later discharged.
Shocking! ???? Female security guard attacked during violent stadium invasion at the Moses Mabhida stadium, Durban.
???????? Let's find them, call them out and report them! ????????#NedbankCup semi-final, Kaizer Chiefs vs Free State Stars.
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— Leandri Janse van Vuuren (@Lean3JvV) April 21, 2018
As far as damage to property, Gumede said the list was long and included the pitch, goal posts, speed fencing, crowd management barriers, bins, water points, dinner plates, glasses, chairs, tables amongst others.
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“The total estimate is sitting at R2,6 million. Claims are being initiated against the relevant existing insurance covers and administrative processes are underway,” she said.
The stadium, she said, remained functional despite the events of the weekend.
“We have not made any cancellations in terms of our bookings, in fact, on Sunday we hosted an event without hindrances. Importantly, the multi-disciplinary nature of the stadium’s design, permits it to host a wide range of sporting and cultural events. We are not just a sporting stadium, we have a host of other things including the SkyCar,” she said.
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Gumede security at the game was the sole responsibility of the South African Police Services as stipulated by the SASREA Act.
“Our role was to provide the venue and infrastructure which we fulfilled,” she said, adding that the city was grateful to all law enforcement agencies including Metro Police who responded and dealt with the situation.
She went on to congratulate the Free State Stars and Maritzburg United for winning the weekend matches and said she hoped Maritizburg United would bring the Cup to KZN. She also extended congratulations to Abafana Besithende for winning against Chiefs at Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday evening.
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