Brief chaos hits Durban
2005-04-27 11:56
Durban - Chaos reigned for about 30 minutes on Wednesday at the main Freedom Day event at Absa stadium in Durban when a cloudburst caused people to clamour for shelter.
"I lost my son for a few minutes and had to pick several old ladies up from the floor because there was no crowd control," said a woman from Chatsworth.
People started arriving shortly after 8:00 for the celebrations that featured President Thabo Mbeki as the main speaker.
At first, the long queues were orderly and people were subjected to searches at two check points before getting their free food parcels and flags.
However, during a heavy cloudburst people pushed through the different entrances for shelter, causing chaos.
The entrances to the stadium were strewn with mismatched shoes and a policeman told Sapa that two elderly women had been taken away by an ambulance. He did not have further details.
Organisers said provision had been made for 45 000 people.
Police spokesperson Director Bala Naidoo told Sapa people were being searched with hand held scanners before being allowed into the stadium.
Buses were still arriving at the scene by 11:00 as the rain subsided and police gained control over proceedings.
Several people in the crowd were waving African National Congress and SA Communist Party flags or wearing the organisations' T-shirts while the sounds of vuvuzelas could be heard everywhere.
President Thabo Mbeki was expected to address the crowd later.
Other gatherings have been arranged around the country with Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa addressing a gathering at Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Tony Leon, leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance, is billed to deliver his Freedom Day message at the Rocklands Sports Field in Mitchell's Plain outside Cape Town.
Freedom Day marks the ushering in of South Africa's first democratically elected government 11 years ago.
- SAPA