As the Nedbank Cup final approaches, KwaZulu-Natal police have issued a warning to fans that they will be strict and are finalising their operation plan for Saturday.
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will square off in the sold-out Soweto derby Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. The game is scheduled to start at 3.30pm.
The ticketing system and potential chaos at a venue that will have at least half of the crowd that the Soweto derby typically hosts at the 90 000-capacity FNB Stadium have been major concerns since the beginning of the week.
Many fans who had already planned and purchased tickets for the highly anticipated event have not been pleased with the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) decision to only distribute 49 307 tickets for the final, along with SA Stadium Management and other relevant parties.
Police are aware of threats on social media
The KwaZulu-Natal deputy commissioner of police, General Phumelele Makhoba, has issued a warning that law enforcement will be strict in response to some fans’ threats that they will force their way into the stadium.
“As law enforcement, we are confident that we will successfully police this event,” Makhoba said ahead of the match.
“As you have heard from Mr Bertie Grobbelaar [CEO of Stadium Management] and PSL acting chief executive [Mato Madlala], the meeting we had earlier with other stakeholders — which was prompted by what was happening on social media and the potential overcrowding — has since been resolved.
“As law enforcement, we are currently completing our operational plan, which we will implement on Saturday. This covers disaster management, medical personnel, and traffic control.”
Do not go to the stadium without a ticket
Makhoba advised fans who do not have tickets or who originally purchased them but received refunds because the stadium’s ticket capacity has already been reached not to go to the stadium.
“I would like to stress that tickets have been sold out and that, as SAPS [SA Police Service], we will enforce strict rules on the ground.
“To avoid needless conflict, if you know you do not have a ticket to the stadium, stay at home or find another location to watch the game instead of making your way there.
“As law enforcement, our goal is to ensure everyone’s safety, not to get into arguments with football fans. In preparation for the match, we are in an operational mode,” Makhoba stated.
