HOW FAN DIED
Video shows shooting during Bay stadium soccer pitch invasion
DRAMATIC video footage of the pitch invasion and fatal shooting of a soccer fan at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium has raised serious questions about the security provided for the Kaizer Chiefs versus Chippa game at the weekend.
The footage, captured by a young soccer supporter at the game who said he “just wants justice to be done”, came to light after an announcement by the PSL yester- day that the Nedbank Cup final would still be played at the stadium on Saturday.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality welcomed the news, saying the PSL had “made a wise decision”.
Meanwhile, stadium officials and police cannot agree on whether security at Saturday’s sell-out game at the 44 000-seat facility was adequate, with stadium management insisting it was.
But the disturbing video recording handed to The Herald by an 18-year-old Zwide man, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, shows chaotic scenes at the match, seemingly uncoordinated secu- rity, the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Cape Town soccer fan Ntandazo Mbenje, the brutal tackling and stomping of a fan by security officers, and the absence of any immediate medical assistance for Mbenje.
It also contradicts police and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) versions of what happened in the aftermath of the match.
Ipid has now taken full control of the investigation into the shooting.
The video, which was recorded on a tablet almost in front of where Mbenje was gunned down, shows throngs of supporters rushing onto the field unchecked at the end of the game.
The Public Order Police unit (Pops) officer, whose firearm was allegedly used in the shooting, is seen walking down the side of the field.
Shortly afterwards, he is seen a few metres away engaging with two men, as elated fans continue to storm the field, some knocking over advertising boards directly behind the policeman.
The officer, who appears to have either dropped to his knees or to the ground, then stands up, and a gunshot is heard. Metres away, Mbenje – who was making his way to the field from the stands, and was still near the side of the field next to the advertising boards – immediately drops to the ground.
On the field, directly in front of where Mbenje is lying, security officers are seen violently tackling a fan to the ground, with one brutally stomping on the man’s head.
Although it is unclear exactly when Mbenje was put in an ambulance to be taken to hospital, the recording clearly shows small groups of supporters intermittently milling around Mbenje, with no signs of any medical staff or even first-aid workers in the vicinity to assist him.
None of the people milling around him, including one supporter who was standing in front of where he lay, laughing and engaging the crowd with hand gestures, offered any assistance to Mbenje.
There was also no visible attempt to arrest any of the men who allegedly grabbed the policeman’s firearm.
Eastern Cape police spokesman Brigadier Marinda Mills said yesterday the officer involved had not been suspended and no other action had been taken against him yet. “The case is now in Ipid’s
hands,” she said. “No action will be taken against the member until, and if, there is a recommendation by Ipid.
“We have to await their findings in the investigation. The officer involved is in shock over what happened and has received medical attention himself.”
Mills reiterated her view that security at the event had been inadequate and that police had merely played a supporting role at the match.
She said it was part of the policeman’s unit’s standard uniform and dress for him to have live ammunition on him.
Stadium operator Access Management still maintains it is not to blame for the chaos at the game, saying it had supplied “sufficient security . . . well within the accepted norms”. However, company officials refused to say how many security guards had been deployed at the game.
According to the 74-page Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act of 2009 which governs safety parameters at stadiums, the ratio of security officers should be one per 100 spectators.
That means Access Management would have had to have at least 440 security guards to cater for the sold-out 44 000-seater stadium.
Access Management chief executive Chantal du Pisani, however, argued that the act was not referring to sports games but rather to events where patrons were expected to spend the duration of the event on the field.
“The act is not specific in terms of security deployment for sporting events,” she said. “The act refers to events which take place on the pitch, such as concerts and so on. The deployment of security is determined by whether the event is categorised as a high-risk or medium-risk event.
“The classification is determined by the national police commissioner. As the stadium, we do a risk assessment and it is then put before the local organising committee which has several meetings with us, the police and all the other major stakeholders before a decision is taken,” Du Pisani said.
On Saturday, Mills cited insufficient security as part of the reason for the unruly behaviour.
Mills said during the chaos of the pitch invasion, two soccer fans allegedly grabbed a policeman’s firearm from his holster. A scuffle ensued and a shot went off, hitting Mbenje. The alleged culprits escaped amid the panic and confusion.
Access Management chairman Songezo Nayo said security concerns leading up to this weekend’s clash between Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns would be addressed today when they sat down with PSL officials.
City manager Mpilo Mbambisa said the city and the stadium were more than ready to host the Nedbank Cup final. “We look forward to receiving a report with solid recommendations from the stadium management to prevent a recurrence.”
Ipid confirmed it was investigating the incident yesterday. Spokesman Moses Dlamini said the victim had died “on the way to the ambulance”. The post mortem was scheduled for today.