Patience Bambalele

Patience Bambalele

What was meant to be an entertaining and spiritually healing event ended in violence when music lovers rioted after gospel group Joyous Celebration failed to show up for a concert.

The award-winning group was among the bands booked to perform at the Oppenheimer Stadium, Klerksdorp, as part of Healing the Wounds of the Past festival on December 13.

However, all hell broke loose when it was announced at 7pm that the popular band had cancelled. Festival organiser Jenny Senatle said people became angry and started attacking security personnel and hawkers.

Senatle said he paid Joyous Celebration R141500 to perform.

The fee "included transport costs". He said he also had to fork out R5750 for accommodation of the 64 members.

"I was shocked when they called me at the 11th hour and said that they were no longer coming. They did not give me any valid reason."

However, Jabu Hlongwane, co-founder of Joyous Celebration, said Senatle "had failed" to provide them with the necessary transport - as the contract had stipulated.