Police tighten security as KZN Soweto derby final ticket bungle sparks fan outrage
As KZN gears up for the Soweto derby showdown at Moses Mabhida Stadium today, law enforcement authorities say they are ready to ensure safety and order, despite a ticketing fiasco that has left thousands of fans outraged and demanding refunds.
The Witness reports that as the Nedbank Cup final between fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates is set to kick off at 15h30 today, the 60 000-seater stadium is expected to be filled to capacity.
But what was meant to be a celebrated football event has been overshadowed by a chaotic ticketing process that saw more than 10 000 additional transactions processed due to a system failure.
According to Stadium Management SA CEO Bertie Grobbelaar, tickets went live earlier than scheduled, causing a technical glitch on the Open Tickets platform.
As a result, 19 561 people paid for tickets but did not initially receive them, while another 10 501 tickets were sold beyond the stadium's capacity.
'From the overissuing of tickets, 19 561 had to be allocated to people who paid but did not get their tickets, and 10 501 tickets were paid for, but were overcapacity, and those people had to be refunded,' says Grobbelaar, who was brought in as an independent auditor by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to help manage the crisis.
The fallout has been significant, with fans taking to social media to express anger and disappointment.
Some even threatened to go to the stadium without tickets, raising fears of chaos and potential stampedes.
However, KZN police say they are aware of the threats and have revised their operational plans accordingly.
Addressing the media yesterday morning, KZN deputy police commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba assured the public that a comprehensive safety and security plan was already in motion.
'We have been in contact with the organiser, the PSL, with the aim of delivering a historic cup final. All event protocols, including risk categorisation, have been done and, as police, we are comfortable with the venue,' says Makoba.
She says law enforcement is aware of the ticketing glitch and the anger it caused, but warned that any attempt to disrupt the event would be met with firm action.
'Our intelligence officers are at work, identifying those individuals who are hellbent on creating chaos. No lawlessness will be tolerated.'
Makoba says certain roads around the stadium will now be fully closed to increase security and reduce the risk of congestion.
'The stadium precinct is practically our red zone and no one without a valid matchday ticket must come close.'
eThekwini Municipality has set up public viewing areas for fans who were unable to secure tickets, and police have urged supporters to make use of these facilities instead of heading to the stadium without access.
'Anyone who will be found selling tickets — whether fake or authentic — will be arrested and locked up.'
Supporters have also been warned not to bring firearms, knives, bottles or other dangerous weapons, and to use park-and-ride facilities to ease traffic flow.
Despite the early turbulence, Makoba assured the public that the derby will go ahead safely.
'Our operational plan goes beyond the stadium and has been designed to deliver a safe and secure 2024 Nedbank Cup final,' she says.
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