2005-12-05Staff Report 2 "By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK A PRIVATE company's security guards on Saturday night was allegedly forced to use teargas to control a music crowd trying to gain forced entry to attend the launch of rapper Gazza's live performance at the Zoo Park in the capital. This was confirmed in a press statement by Tshuutheni Emvula, the managing director of Grind'n Entertainment, the company responsible for the live show, which was attended by more than 3 000 fans on Saturday evening. ""I can confirm there was a commotion, caused by crowds pushing to get into the venue, but there were no casualties or injuries suffered by any members of the public,"" said a relieved Emvula. Gazza was the main attraction on the show, which also featured other artists such as Kondja & Maps, African Boy, Catty Cat, Zricks Brikz, Oom James, Cosh-Cosh and Tash. ""We had 28 security guards from Ongula Security Services who had been strengthened by a contingent of eight City Police members. There were at least three incidents in which the security services were forced to use teargas as a tactic to calm the crowds on the outside of the venue because they were pushing and trying to break down the gates to gain entry to the show,"" Emvula said. He apologised to the audience for any inconvenience caused by the teargas. ""Despite the short-lived disturbances, this did not prevent the show beginning on time and ending after midnight on Saturday. I must say the show is so popular that my company has decided to take it to the annual Ongwediva Trade Fair later this month,"" said Emvula, a cousin to well known actor Obed Emvula, who stars in the movie Where Others Wavered, to be released internationally in March next year. On inquiry about the City Police's involvement in the incident, superintendent Gerry Shikesho confirmed the incident but denied his force had been involved in the use of teargas. ""A unit of the City Police was on standby, but was never called in for deployment at the concert. It was the responsibility of the private security company to maintain order, not ours,"" Shikesho said." 2005-12-05Staff Report 2
