NATIONAL NEWS - Damage to the Moses Mabhida Stadium after Saturday’s pitch invasion is estimated at R2.6m, eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede has said.
Gumede, together with stadium manager Vuzi Mazibuko and Thembo Ntuli of the City’s security committee, was addressing the media during a press briefing at the stadium on Wednesday morning.
The mayor said claims for the damages were being initiated, but the stadium was fully functional. It had hosted president Cyril Ramaphosa for an African National Congress (ANC) event the day after the incident.
There was a need for a national drive on social behaviour to curtail what happened, she said, stating it was not an isolated incident. One such initiative could include a restriction on liquor consumption.
Violence and vandalism erupted on Saturday as the final whistle was blown signalling the end of the Nedbank Cup semi-final between Kaiser Chiefs and Free State Stars, which Chiefs lost 2-0.
Hundreds of fans stormed the pitch, sending players and staff scurrying for safety.
While cameras were still filming, irate fans proceeded to set alight stadium chairs, damaged crowd barriers and access gates, vandalised camera equipment and assaulted a security guard. Eighteen people were injured during the incident.
