Chaos mars Jah Prayzah's Johannesburg gig

Music star Jah Prayzah's sold-out show held at the Baseline in Johannesburg at the weekend was marred by chaos after non-ticket holders tried to force their way in.

Security details had to resort to teargas to restore order at the club co-run by Zimbabwe-born artiste Jah Seed.

Event organiser Tongai Mbidzo took to Facebook to apologise to music fans, particularly those who failed to get into the show even though they had tickets.

"I post with mixed emotions. My deepest apologies! We let you down last night. The venue was super-packed, chock-a-block.

"The number of non-ticket holders made it impossible for ticket holders to enter the venue early," he wrote.

Mbidzo added that they considered cancelling the oversubscribed concert.

"The option was either to cancel the entire show or continue by trying to accommodate everyone as it was becoming a huge security threat to the venue. (Those inside the venue and those outside the venue.)

"The best option was to continue the show. Cancelling would have caused riots, we are truly sorry," wrote the concert organiser.

He conceded that they chose the wrong venue for a music star of Jah Prayzah's stature.

"My promise to you is Jah Prayzah will go to a bigger and specious venue the next time he is in Johannesburg.

"To Jah Prayzah you are a super star. Johannesburg shut down for you last night. Keep shining mwana wevhu; (son of the soil) you are representing brand Zimbabwe well."

Several fans also took to Facebook to express their disappointment with the way the concert was organised.

Gweneth Mudoni wrote, "Yes hey we are here. I can't even go in, chaos and teargas at all entry points.

"They needed a bigger venue, crowd too big for Baseline."

Mucha Muchenje Manyengavana wrote, "Teargas has subsidised now Gwen. Hope they let you in. I am inside, we are trapped."

"Aah tickets were sold out but non-ticket holders are pushing to get in. They broke the entrance gates and rushed in. Not sure what's still happening outside we are inside."

Graham Mandizha, "Any news on what happened? Left when they teargassed the place about an hour ago. But I had bought tickets.

"Are they going to refund those of us who had bought tickets but could not enter because of the chaos, lack of security and crowd management?"