It will be D-Day on Tuesday when an EP disciplinary committee convenes to launch an inquiry into a crowd invasion which resulted in a club rugby match between Gardens and Progress being abandoned in June.
In a letter to the presidents of Gardens, Progress and the EP Rugby Referees Society, EP president George Malgas said all relevant documents and written reports had been submitted before the inquiry got under way.
The mayhem attracted international interest and was reported in Welsh media.
In addition to written evidence, it is believed both clubs have submitted video clips which will be shown to the inquiry panel as they bid to unravel what happened at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium (popularly known as Die Hok).
The Kariega derby is regarded as arguably the biggest club clash on SA’s rugby calendar and always attracts capacity crowds.
In future, crowd-pulling Grand Challenge Top 12 derby matches could be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium or other venues which have enhanced security features.
Apart from the on-field mayhem, a shooting took place behind the pavilion a while after the game was called off when an assailant reportedly jumped a fence and opened fire on a fan, who was talking to other spectators.
The police later confirmed that Morne Matill, 48, had been fatally shot in the neck and chest behind the pavilion.
Concerned SA Rugby bosses have asked EP to provide them with a detailed report on what turned out to be one of the darkest days in the history of the sport in SA.
The meeting, which could have far-reaching implications, should have been held last week, but was postponed until Tuesday.
Malgas said Gardens and Progress would be allowed two delegates and only one delegate would be allowed to address the independent judiciary of the EPRU.
In the aftermath of the chaos, EP announced it had banned future Kariega derby fixtures between the sides until significant security upgrades were completed at the facility.
Subsequently, Gardens radically beefed up crowd security measures when they played Kruisfontein United in their next match after the abandoned fixture.
The match passed without incident, with top-of-the-log Gardens beating Kruisfointein 27-21 in a needle clash.
In the previous match, concerned referee Aphiwe Mfana said he had been forced to leave the field after drunk spectators began accosting players and officials.
It is expected that Mafana’s report will provide clarity to the committee as they look to unearth the underlying reasons for the events which unfolded.
In his report, Mfana explained that safety risks posed by an increasingly intoxicated and uncontrollable crowd had been deemed too severe.
“The match between Gardens and Progress was played in front of a large crowd and displayed a high standard of rugby from both sides during the first half and well into the second,” he said.
“The atmosphere was spirited and passionate, reflective of the derby’s significance in the local rugby calendar.
“However, during the second half, the crowd’s behaviour began to deteriorate significantly.
“Several spectators, evidently under the influence of alcohol and other substances, began encroaching upon the field of play.
“Despite two stoppages and requests for both teams’ management to assist in calming the situation, the intrusion intensified.
“Spectators flooded the field, jeopardising the safety of players, officials and themselves.
“With about six minutes remaining, Gardens scored a try.
“However, due to the density of fans on the field — many of whom were physically interfering with players and officials by splashing alcohol, grabbing at players and disrupting play — I was unable to safely award the try.
“At that point, I made the decision to vacate the field for the safety of myself and the players.
“Subsequent discussions with the match organisers, Gardens and Progress, including the Progress club president [Kosie Basson] led to the mutual agreement that the match could not continue under such unsafe conditions.
“The safety risks posed by an increasingly intoxicated and uncontrollable crowd were deemed too severe.
“The Progress president deemed the situation unsafe for his players too and withdrew them.”
In another leaked report, assistant referee Wiehann Strydom said the host team (Gardens) had failed to implement proper safety protocols.
“On several occasions, I, as the assistant referee, instructed spectators standing along the touchline to move back and clear the area,” he said.
“Despite repeated requests, the spectators did not comply.
“Furthermore, the host team failed to implement proper safety protocols, which contributed to the lack of control over the crowd.
“A particularly serious incident occurred after a try was scored by a Gardens player.
“Supporters of the host team entered the field of play and crowded the in-goal area.”
The Herald
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