adminMarshall Bwanya Arts Correspondent
THE Summer Slam gig held at Rainbow Towers’ Gardens over the weekend was marred by power outage that dampened the merry mood of the show traditionally held on the last day of the Harare Agricultural Show. Chaos erupted just when things were about to start with hordes of youths clashing with the police.
Presenters of the show scurried for cover during the skirmishes as police moved in to quell the chaos.
One fan, Lynette Kativi, claimed she was molested by a group of rowdy youths
“My sisters and I were looking for the ladies room when we came across an angry crowd. I helplessly screamed for help as they molested me before police and security came to my rescue,” she said.
Kativi said she lost goods valued at US$100 including US$15 cash, a Samsung GT 3250 and personal documents.
Other fans sustained injuries from the missiles that were being thrown all over the venue.
Organiser Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza has since apologised for the mishap blaming it on the power outage.
“We didn’t anticipate 5 000 people to turn up and the situation was worsened by the power outages,” he said.
Some youths who could not pay the US$5 charge enjoyed themselves on the lush green lawn at the five-star hotel while traffic jam was the order of the day.
Despite the poor start, the gig lived up to expectations as different artistes showcased their prowess on behind the microphone and on the turntables
Online Reporter