#FillUpFail – Benny Mayengani says ANC, Polokwane municipality and police sabotaged his event
Prominent Tsonga singer Benny 'The President' Mayengani has blamed the ANC and the municipality for the failed Fill-Up Peter Mokaba Sports Complex concert, which was scheduled for the Saturday of Easter weekend.
POLOKWANE – According to The President, as he is known by his fans, thousands of people had to return home as the gates were only opened at 22:00 instead of 12:00. He said the show was supposed to start at 18:00. By this time, the 46 000 capacity stadium was still empty with only the stage set up.
Eventually, only a few fans and artists who were in the line-up, showed up. Mayengani felt strongly about the mishap, saying his concert had been sabotaged by the ANC, the Polokwane Municipality and the police.
This is so bad😭😭😂😂😂#FillUpPeterMokabaStadium pic.twitter.com/AToPCwS6tX
— Grootman (@MabokaneMatee) April 20, 2019
Guys……the tickets were all sold out…. Something fishy here and we all waiting for an update… #FillUpPeterMokabaStadium
— Stallion🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@stallionheat) April 20, 2019
“I am disappointed that my concert has turned into a political playfield,” he said.
Mayengani, who is an outspoken EFF member, said 20 buses had been turned away by the police and he had no choice but to rope in the big guns.
“I had to call Julius Malema and his deputy Floyd Shivambu for assistance as things only got worse,” he said. He said when Provincial Leader Jossey Buthane came onboard, the gates were eventually unlocked.
“I have no doubt that the stadium would’ve been filled up, as 23 000 tickets had already been sold. My work speaks for itself. I’ve filled up stadiums several times before and I will continue with that,” he said.
#FillUpPeterMokabaStadium situation at peter mokaba stadium right now.epic fail🤦♀️ pic.twitter.com/8F3ODURdVx
— mosa goodness (@MosaGoodness) April 20, 2019
@BennyMayengani gates still not opened, we are still outside waiting, this is unprofessional, disrespectful, disorganized all sorts of BS!!!!!#FillUpPeterMokabaStadium pic.twitter.com/0cJ2u3YHcN
— Dinnny_kay (@dinykay) April 20, 2019
He said it is disappointing that the provincial government continues to undermine Limpopo artists. “Had I been from Gauteng we would not have experienced this problem. But this will not deter me. I’m here and I will be there for my fans.”
Polokwane Municipality Spokesperson, Thipa Selala, described Mayengane’s allegations as “nonsense”. “He is politicising the failure of this event and this is unfortunate on his part.”
https://twitter.com/Tumsaso/status/1119686992441290753
He said Mayengani is well aware that for the stadium to be open and for the event to continue there are Joint Operations Commitee prerequisites which must be complied with. “Mayengani must leave the mayor and the municipality out of his poor organising of the event. There are many events, including government events, that never materialised because of non-compliance. The mayor is not at power to intervene, as it is a function of the Joint Operations Committee.”
