The introduction of strict security in the Absa Premiership game between Kaizer Chiefs and Lamontville Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium last Wednesday night caused a major delay and chaos.
The introduction of strict security in the Absa Premiership game between Kaizer Chiefs and Lamontville Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium last Wednesday night caused a major delay and chaos.
Entry points to the stadium were manned by Metro police and on the western side of the stadium, people who came in in their own cars were not allowed to drive straight in but were supposed to go via a security checkpoint kilometres away.
I was part of those unlucky fans that were sent to this checkpoint based in Mzimhlophe.
This caused major delays not only for those who wanted to get to the stadium but for other road users as well.
Traffic to the checkpoint was a gridlock as there were no pointsmen to see to the smooth flow of cars.
Obviously this sprawling township continued with its daily routine and did not wait for the game's security personnel to get their act together.
So you can imagine the chaos as there was normal daily traffic coming from all directions as well as cars travelling between the checkpoint and the stadium.
Some fans suggested that the checkpoint should have been at the entry point to the stadium instead of being so far away. And I think that would have been better.
Again upon entry into the stadium things did not improve as there was still the small matter of a hopeless personnel who did not know where the press box or media suite was, which was a source for unnecessary difficulties for the press.
Chiefs' public relations manager Siyabulela Makunga was at pains trying to absolve his team of all the blame.
"Unfortunately the game was not administered by Chiefs, but by the City of Joburg who did not make it clear to us how or where they planned to establish security checkpoints. We were also surprised," he said.
Executive director for 2010, Sibongile Mazibuko, said the chaos was inevitable as the Metro police needed to guarantee the safely of some guests.
"Because there were some VIPs that the city had invited for this occasion, there was a need for tighter security."
Security headache at Orlando
The introduction of strict security in the Absa Premiership game between Kaizer Chiefs and Lamontville Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium last Wednesday night caused a major delay and chaos.
The introduction of strict security in the Absa Premiership game between Kaizer Chiefs and Lamontville Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium last Wednesday night caused a major delay and chaos.
Entry points to the stadium were manned by Metro police and on the western side of the stadium, people who came in in their own cars were not allowed to drive straight in but were supposed to go via a security checkpoint kilometres away.
I was part of those unlucky fans that were sent to this checkpoint based in Mzimhlophe.
This caused major delays not only for those who wanted to get to the stadium but for other road users as well.
Traffic to the checkpoint was a gridlock as there were no pointsmen to see to the smooth flow of cars.
Obviously this sprawling township continued with its daily routine and did not wait for the game's security personnel to get their act together.
So you can imagine the chaos as there was normal daily traffic coming from all directions as well as cars travelling between the checkpoint and the stadium.
Some fans suggested that the checkpoint should have been at the entry point to the stadium instead of being so far away. And I think that would have been better.
Again upon entry into the stadium things did not improve as there was still the small matter of a hopeless personnel who did not know where the press box or media suite was, which was a source for unnecessary difficulties for the press.
Chiefs' public relations manager Siyabulela Makunga was at pains trying to absolve his team of all the blame.
"Unfortunately the game was not administered by Chiefs, but by the City of Joburg who did not make it clear to us how or where they planned to establish security checkpoints. We were also surprised," he said.
Executive director for 2010, Sibongile Mazibuko, said the chaos was inevitable as the Metro police needed to guarantee the safely of some guests.
"Because there were some VIPs that the city had invited for this occasion, there was a need for tighter security."
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