Sports Minister Xasa calls off FNB Stadium tragedy inquiry
Two fans died and 21 others were injured during a stampede at the FNB Stadium on July 29 last year.
Police stand at the scene of the bodies of two people who died during a stampede at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 29 July, 2017. The stampede began when Kaiser Chiefs scored their first goal and people outside attempted to rush into the stadium. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
New Sports Minister Thokozile Xasa has called off the ministerial commission of inquiry into the deaths of two fans at last year’s Black Label Cup match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
The inquiry was set up by her predecessor, Thembelani ‘Thulas’ Nxesi.
Nxesi was replaced by Xasa during a Cabinet reshuffle on February 27.
“Notice to withdraw the establishment of committee of inquiry and its terms reference to investigate facts and events that led to the death of two soccer fans and injury to twenty-one other fans at the soccer match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs on 29 July 2017‚ published on 20 October 2017,” read a notice in the Government Gazette.
“I‚ Thokozile Xasa, MP, Minister of Sport and Recreation, hereby, by virtue of the powers conferred on me under section 13(5) (a) of the National Sport and Recreation Act‚ 1998 (Act No. 110 of 1998 as amended) read with the Public Finance Management Act‚ 1999 (Act No. 1 as amended)‚of 1999) and its Treasury Regulations to establish the Committee of Inquiry‚ hereby withdraw such committee and its terms of reference to investigate the tragic events at the soccer match between Kaizer Chief and Orlando Pirates on 29 July 2017 at which two soccer fans died and twenty-one others were injured as set out in the Schedule, chaired by Judge Pillay, assisted by Mr Masilo Maake and Mr Eugine Van Vuuren. Given under my Hand on the 16 day of March 2018.”
