Durban - A 17-year-old was stabbed to death on the polocrosse field near the Royal Showgrounds on Sunday, after a crowd gathered to party from 1pm onwards.
They allegedly congregated on the field because they had been unaware that the Ukhozi FM concert – traditionally part of the Royal Show – was not being held this year.
But the Royal Agricultural Show denied reports that the chaos outside the showgrounds occurred after concertgoers were told there was no Ukhozi FM concert.
The show’s chief executive, Terry Strachan, said the party at the polocrosse field, about 500m from the showgrounds, had nothing to do with the show.
A report on social media said the hordes of would-be concertgoers turned the field into a makeshift party zone which “descended into chaos and violence, as gangs of drunken revellers turned on each other”.
Strachan said it was decided last year not to hold the concert because the attendance numbers had dwindled.
“We advertised in the media that the concert would not be taking place.”
To refresh the mix of entertainment, and in deference to the show’s Zulu- speaking guests, the event was replaced with the Vuma FM Gospel concert on May 31.
He was aware of some disturbance outside the grounds, but it “had nothing to do with us”.
There were troublemakers drinking from their car boots and braaing, who had no intention of going to the show.
Strachan added that the show had been successful with 13 000 to 14 000 people having attended. He had spoken to the owners of the stalls, who indicated they had done well.
He said those selling machinery, such as Cat, Ferguson and JCB, were particularly pleased with sales.
Police spokesman Constable Mthokozisi Ngobese confirmed that a 17-year-old male from Mooi River had been stabbed to death on the field. He said there had been a disagreement between him and another man. A suspect had been arrested.
Ngobese said that according to investigations, people arrived at the show for the concert, which they assumed would take place on the last day of the show, as it traditionally had.
“When they were informed there was no concert, they started drinking and braaiing all over the place.”
A manager of Jay Jays, a restaurant at the Invesco Centre, opposite the field, said crowds started gathering at the field from 1.30pm.
“They were causing a huge traffic disturbance and disturbing customers. They were drinking, fornicating, urinating and braaing.”
They did not enter the centre because it was secured and there were guards on duty. He said there were vehicles, including taxis, double-parked in the road. However, he said it was not as bad as in previous years when the concert had taken place.
undefinedA visitor to the show, Hlengiwe Ngubane, said she heard people at the gates say they were unaware the concert was not taking place and they seemed very disappointed.
The Mercury