Online Reporter
Johnsias Mutonhori
CHAOS erupted at Vital Lounge in Shurugwi on Saturday night after irate music fans hurled missiles onto the stage during a show headlined by Zimdancehall stars, Enzo Ishall and Chillmaster. The violence, which many attributed to poor organisation, lengthy delays, and the absence of some advertised artistes, has once again cast Shurugwi in a negative light as an unsafe destination for music events.
The concert had been billed as a star-studded affair featuring Enzo Ishall, Chillmaster and Jnr Spragga. However, the latter failed to appear, leaving fans frustrated. Performances only commenced around 1am, with Chillmaster taking to the stage in an attempt to calm the already agitated crowd.
Following his one-hour set, organisers announced that Enzo Ishall would perform next, but his delayed appearance further inflamed tensions. Matters worsened when there was a brief power outage, prompting speculation that organisers were attempting to end the show prematurely.
Tempers flared and bottles along with other objects were thrown at the stage and VIP section, forcing police to intervene. Panic ensued after the sound of a gunshot was reportedly heard, sending fans fleeing for safety.
“The show was disorganised in totality. Imagine paying US$10 for a show that started at 1am. Spragga was on the poster, but we later found out he was performing in Kariba. How do you expect fans to react?” asked one attendee, Trish.
Another fan, Tanaka, shared her ordeal: “I regret paying for the VIP section. I thought it would be safer, but I was hit by a bottle on my back and my niece was struck on the head. This was the worst experience I’ve ever had at a show.”
A third concertgoer, who admitted to being terrified by the gunshot, said, “When I heard the gun sound, I didn’t wait to see what would happen next. I just ran home.”
Police eventually managed to restore order, allowing Enzo Ishall to perform around 3am. Despite the chaos, both Enzo and Chillmaster went on to deliver solid performances, though many in attendance felt short-changed.
Commenting after the incident, Chillmaster distanced himself from the violence, stating that it erupted after his performance.
“I performed for about an hour, and fans were in high spirits. No missiles were thrown during my act; we only heard that trouble started later,” he said.
The organisers of the event have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
