PSL fails to meet own 14-day deadline on fatal stampede

Lawyer in dark over cut-off date

The PSL yesterday failed to meet its own 14-day deadline of releasing a report regarding the FNB Stadium stampede that killed two people and injured several others on July 29.

Yesterday marked exactly 14 days which the PSL had said it would release a report after an initial probe headed by Advocate Vincent Maleka.

He was hired by the league after the stampede at a Carling Black Label Cup pre-season match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs left two people dead.

Two days after the incident, Pirates and PSL chairman Irvin Khoza, flanked by Chiefs owner Kaizer Motaung, told a press conference “the person concerned [Advocate Maleka] be instructed to provide the full report to the [PSL] executive committee within 14 days to ensure that a proper assessment can be made as regards to the appropriate steps to be taken in relation to the matter”.

However, David Chauke, the father of deceased Chiefs supporter Prince Chauke, said the family has not heard from the investigators since the funeral.

Prince and another supporter, Johannes Nkosi, died when a group of fans, allegedly without valid tickets, forced their way through stadium gates.

Chauke said his family received R100 000 to assist with funeral arrangements, with Chiefs and Pirates contributing R50 000 each, but have heard nothing about investigations.

“As you know, funerals are very expensive and the money we received from the clubs helped a lot.

“But in the end we had to dig into our own pockets to cover other costs,” he told Sowetan yesterday.

PSL spokesman Lux September said he could not comment as the process was being handled by the lawyers.

However, Maleka, SC, said he was not informed of the 14day deadline but promised he would “probably finish [the probe] within a month”.

‘‘ As you know funerals are expensive and the money helped a lot