Busy Signal show abandoned

Bulawayo Bureau
Jamaican music superstar Busy Signal failed to perform at the Large City Hall car park in Bulawayo last Friday after the show was abandoned due to crowd trouble.

Busy Signal was whisked away when mayhem broke out around midnight as Winky D and his band walked off stage complaining of poor sound quality.

Revellers responded by destroying a barricade separating them and the VIP section, and hurling bottles and chairs all over the place. Some looted alcohol, food, sweets, popcorn and other wares that were being sold by vendors at the venue.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said: “Investigations are ongoing. At the moment, we haven’t come up with the number of people arrested. We want to make sure that the hooligans are brought to book, and we’ll not leave any stone unturned.

“Anyone with information (on the hooligans) should contact the police through our hotlines 999, 110.”

One of the show organisers, Mr Alex Marapara, said: “I’ve never witnessed that level of violence. We’ve done shows in the UK and this was the first in Zimbabwe. I’m shocked and confused, to say the least. The issue of sound was not a justifiable reason for the level of violence that was witnessed. If there’s another reason to justify that level of violence, I’m waiting for that.

“We had artistes from Bulawayo and we also know Bulawayo sometimes has a relationship with South Africa, so we had an artiste from there. This was actually geared up for them. So, I don’t understand (the violence).”

Nkululeko Nkala, a Bulawayo-based artiste, said his car was damaged in the violence.