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You are in: Football: Africa |
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Tuesday, 9 April, 2002, 12:48 GMT 13:48 UK
Ellis Park inquiry remains on hold
43 people died in the Ellis Park tragedy
By BBC Sport Online's Mark Gleeson
As South Africa prepares to commemorate the first anniversary of the Ellis Park stadium disaster, its people are awaiting the report into the tragedy. Relatives are unhappy with the delay by government in releasing the conclusions of the report into the tragedy of April 11 2001. A total of 43 people died in a stadium crush at Ellis Park, near the Johannesburg city centre. An overflowing crowd attempted to get into the stadium for a key Premier league match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Judge Bernard Ngoepe presided over a commission into the disaster, which heard horrific evidence of the stampede that led to many deaths. Preventative measures Fingers were pointed at the match organisers, the stadium officials, the police, and also the gate keepers. They allegedly let fans into the stadium without tickets in exchange for cash handovers. Ngoepe finished his report into the tragedy at the end of January and handed over copies to the minister of justice, Penuell Maduna, and the minister of sport, Ngconde Balfour on March 1.
Mbeki said he did not want the commission to be a "witch hunt" but rather provide preventive measures for future big footballing events. The report isto be made public only after the South African leader had read it and deliberated with his cabinet, sports ministry officials said. Questions An inquest into the deaths is on hold as well, according to the justice ministry' s spokesman Paul Setsetse. Relatives have complained about the lack of information and some will also be seeking compensation because they lost family breadwinners. "We still have many questions on the events that fateful day," said Ntoni Maphanga of Duduza, who lost his daughter and son-in-law in the stadium disaster. Football officials in South Africa have not organised any commemorative event for Thursday, which will mark the anniversary of the tragedy. |
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