By Rapule Tabane
The inquiry into the Ellis Park disaster has heard how a litany of mistakes and errors of judgment could have contributed to the death of 43 soccer spectators.
Ellis Park's general manager George Stainton on Tuesday painted a picture of the preparations for the Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates game at the commission chaired by Judge Bernard Ngoepe.
Evidence leader Kevin Atwell pointed out that as early as October 1998 a meeting was held with Ellis Park management and the Jeppe Police. This followed mayhem at a Chiefs/ Pirates game that month when fans rushed for tickets minutes before the game. Police had to use rubber bullets to quell a riot. And at the meeting a warning was issued that a repeat situation could occur.
This meeting also highlighted that:
- Both teams commanded huge support;
- Ellis Park stadium was centrally situated and was within walking distance of many suburbs filled with soccer lovers;
- Premier Soccer League security officials were not trained and had been mostly picked up from the streets;
- There was a culture of fans rushing for tickets at the last hour before the match;
- There was a tradition of rivalry which led to conflict and some violence between the two teams.
Stainton said he was not aware of this previous meeting but admitted that soccer tickets were unreserved - unlike those for rugby where fans are allocated seats.
He said it was a practice he inherited when he joined as Ellis Park manager in February this year.
"I did not believe that unreserved seats caused problems because they allow fans to sit wherever they want".
He also revealed several problems in the planning run-up of the tragic April 11 game.
- Despite the stadiums's official capacity of 60 000, 62 000 tickets were printed. This was to enable officials to ensure security control and monitor areas where tickets supply ran out. He said only 57 000 tickets were sold, including complimentary tickets. No counterfeit tickets were found. Tickets were only sold on Monday, two days before the vital match.
- By 8pm when the game started, he could see that there were more people outside the stadium queuing to go in than there was space for. (South African Football Association Guidelines on Safety and Security at football matches provide that there should be no kick off until the situation outside and in the stands is under control.)
- A decision to erect a big screen supplying visuals outside the stadium, which could pacify those who could not gain access into the stadium, and would have cost R60 000, was dropped. The big screen idea was abandoned because some of the officials planning for the match doubted whether it would achieve its objective, while others said there would be technical difficulties.
- After initial agreement that Kaizer Chiefs would provide 260 security officials, the number was reduced to 150.
Stainton said he had initially underestimated attendance at the match but had changed his projection a few days before the match after the league log had changed. The match looked academic at the beginning but dimensions had changed the weekend before when Chiefs picked up points and Pirates dropped them, making the upcoming match crucial for log standings.
Meanwhile, the commission remained firm that it would not provide transport and accommodation financial assistance to survivors and families of the deceased in the tragedy, unless they are witnesses.
Spokesperson Tessie Bezuidenhout said the commission had never promised to finance anyone.
"We cannot use the taxpayers's money to finance people to attend the hearing. The families were notified as a gesture of courtesy," she said.
On Tuesday evening Kaizer Chiefs supporter Saddam Maake was still trying to find overnight accommodation for family members who come from as far as Thohoyandou, Vryburg and Zebediela.
The Ngoepe Commission which was appointed by President Thabo Mbeki to investigate the cause of the stampede and make recommendations to avoid a similar occurrence in the future continues on Wednesday.