admin
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
WHAT started off on Friday as a stunning and electric atmosphere, befitting for a show with internationally acclaimed Makhadzi, ended in tears after some rowdy individuals threw beer bottles and destroyed barricades separating the rest of the ground and the VIP enclosure.
With the Manicaland Motoring Club in Mutare beaming with brilliant stage lighting as well as resplendent stage adornment, everything took a nasty turn as soon as Makhadzi got on stage.
In the aftermath, various theories have emerged pertaining what caused Makhadzi’s show to be marred with violence and ending prematurely.
While some believe that fans were riled by the fact that the South African diva did not perform with a live band, others strongly believe that the rogue elements who ignited the commotion were hired.
The security team, especially those manning the VIP section, was overpowered. Several people sustained injuries, with some getting admitted in hospital.
As soon as Makhadzi jumped on stage, scores of people stampeded to catch a glimpse of the star.
However, it appeared like some rowdy individuals were ready to unleash the violence.
Videos of a section of hooligans destroying barricades and throwing cans and beer bottles have since gone viral on social media.
Subsequently, Makhadzi, who was energetic as always, had to be whisked away from the stage after only playing ‘Di boya Limpopo’ and ‘Matokorisi’ to an appreciative crowd.
Scores of people had started thronging the venue as early as 4pm before it was filled to capacity by 11pm.
Supporting artists such as Assegai Crew, Lionel ‘Caff’ Matanda, Voltz JT had warmed the stage up for the South African diva and put up scintillating performances.
Fantan, Levels, Killer T and Andy Muridzo made a collective effort to ensure that the crowd was well entertained with classic performances after the bottle throwing melee.
When contacted for comment, one of the major local partners for the show, Blessing Mangwiro of Big Rock Logistics said: “It is sad that in this day and age, we still have people who believe in violence and disrupting the good things that other people are doing.
“This was sponsored violence and we know the chief architects and funders of the commotion. When we saw them on the day of the event, some of them were clearly not happy that the function was going on smoothly.
“It is time to leverage on opportunities that come our way and exploit them to better our lives. This tendency of disrupting events simply because someone believes that he should always be the one to host such big shows is not good at all, it should come to an end,” said Mangwiro.
After all the fracas, The Big Rock proprietor appreciates that his personal relationship with Makhadzi was not tainted.
“At the end of the day, I am happy that all this did not taint the good personal relationship I have with Makhadzi,” he added.
Show organizer, Partson Chimbodza, popularly known as Chipaz said: “I would like to put the record straight regarding what happened in Mutare. Firstly, I would like to apologise to Makhadzi and her team for being caught in the fracas.
“When Makhadzi appeared on stage, fans jostled to catch a glimpse of her and broke barricades demarcating the VIP enclosure and the ordinary side. This did not go down well with fans in the VIP section and the pushing and shoving resulted in bottles being thrown towards the VIP section.
“It obviously appeared as if they were targeting Makhadzi but in the few minutes she performed, people were very happy. It’s sad when a foreign artist’s act is disrupted by rogue fans.
“We don’t want the same to happen to our artists when they perform in other countries,” he said.
The hosts, Manicaland Motoring Club said in a statement: “Manicaland Motoring club would like to condemn in the strongest terms the violence, chaos, lawlessness and hooliganism that briefly occurred on the night of April 7, 2023, during the Makhadzi headlined show.
“This kind of behaviour has no place at our peaceful club and we are working closely with the law enforcing agents to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The club remains a premier venue for peaceful shows and all efforts are being taken to safeguard the good name of the club. Meanwhile, the club would like to wish those who were injured a speedy recovery.
“The fans have always behaved very well during shows and enjoyed themselves without any slightest bad incident recorded. In this vein, this leaves the club with conviction that there are high possibilities of a Third Force which was bent to tarnish the name and reputation of this club in the face of an international artist.”
Online Reporter