Key Takeaways:
- A 19-year-old youth was fatally shot during the Shaun 101 street bash in Soweto, leading to a criminal case being opened against the event organisers.
- The Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act places a duty on event organisers to ensure the safety of attendees and surrounding communities.
- The act applies to event organisers who plan, manage, supervise, or control an event, and requires them to put in place measures to ensure physical safety and security.
- Event organisers who fail to comply with the act may face penalties, including fines or imprisonment.
- The Johannesburg metro police have increased their visibility and are cracking down on unauthorised events during the festive season.
Introduction to the Incident
The recent Shaun 101 street bash in Soweto ended in tragedy when a 19-year-old youth was fatally shot. The incident has led to a criminal case being opened against the event organisers, with the Johannesburg MMC for public safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, confirming that a case was opened at Diepkloof police station. The organisers have been charged under regulation 41 of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act. This act is designed to ensure the safety of attendees and surrounding communities at events, and it is clear that the organisers of the Shaun 101 street bash failed to meet their obligations under the act.
The Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act
The Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act is a critical piece of legislation that places a clear duty on event organisers to ensure the safety of attendees and surrounding communities. According to associate attorney Ethan Corner, the act "expressly recognises that the physical wellbeing and safety of all people attending sports, recreational, exhibition or similar events must be promoted and protected." The act applies broadly to event organisers, including anyone who plans, manages, supervises, or controls an event, or who has a material interest in its hosting. Event organisers are required to put in place prescribed measures to ensure the physical safety and security of people and their property at an event, including sporting, entertainment, recreational, religious, cultural, or similar activities hosted at a stadium, venue, or along a route.
Event Organiser Responsibilities
Event organisers have a significant responsibility to ensure the safety of attendees and surrounding communities. Section 4(1) of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act requires organisers to put in place measures to ensure physical safety and security, including event categorisation and advance submission of schedules to police authorities. Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes an offence, and penalties may include a fine or imprisonment. Corner advises event organisers to consider their event carefully and to conduct a comprehensive and well-planned assessment to comply with the act. This includes ensuring that the event is properly categorised, that schedules are submitted to police authorities in advance, and that adequate security measures are in place.
Response to the Incident
In response to the incident, Tshwaku issued a stern warning against unauthorised street bashes, stating that they can lead to disasters. He also confirmed that Shaun 101 would be held accountable for the incident, stating that "we are going to open a crime case against Shaun 101. He must face the music. You cannot have people die like that and no one is held accountable in this city." Shaun 101 has since issued a statement expressing condolences to the victim’s family and distancing the incident from the event itself. However, Tshwaku remains adamant that Shaun 101 must be held accountable for the incident.
Increased Police Presence
The Johannesburg metro police have increased their visibility and are cracking down on unauthorised events during the festive season. Tshwaku confirmed that JMPD officers are on high alert and that any event that is unauthorised will result in the confiscation of PA systems and the arrest of organisers. The JMPD have also issued tip-off lines that are available 24 hours to report criminality and bylaw infringements. This increased police presence is aimed at preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future and ensuring that event organisers comply with the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act.
Conclusion
The fatal shooting of a 19-year-old youth during the Shaun 101 street bash in Soweto is a tragic reminder of the importance of ensuring safety at events. The Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act is a critical piece of legislation that places a clear duty on event organisers to ensure the safety of attendees and surrounding communities. Event organisers who fail to comply with the act may face penalties, including fines or imprisonment. The increased police presence and crackdown on unauthorised events during the festive season are welcome steps towards preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of event organisers to ensure that their events are safe and compliant with the law, and it is the responsibility of authorities to hold them accountable when they fail to meet their obligations.
