Key Takeaways
- A 19-year-old man was killed and three others were hospitalized after a violent altercation at an unauthorized street party in Soweto.
- The event organizers did not obtain permission from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) to host the event.
- The City of Johannesburg has announced a zero-tolerance approach to unauthorized mass gatherings, with arrests for non-compliance.
- Event organizers will be held liable for any incidents that occur during unauthorized events.
- The city has a 26-point checklist for those applying to host an event that incorporates municipal infrastructure.
Introduction to the Incident
The City of Johannesburg has announced that it will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to unauthorized mass gatherings after a violent altercation at a street party in Soweto resulted in the death of a 19-year-old man and the hospitalization of three others. The incident occurred at the Shaun 101 Street Bash, which was held without the approval of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). The organizers of the event have defended their operational plan, stating that they had implemented a comprehensive security plan, including private security personnel and coverage across the majority of the perimeter surrounding the venue.
Lack of Police Visibility
According to the Department of Public Safety, the incident occurred on Thursday morning while attendees were leaving the Shaun 101 Street Bash. The department stated that there was no police visibility or patrols during and after the event, which is a requirement for all events held in the city. Public Safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku stated that the event organizers had not obtained permission from the JMPD to host the event, and that they would be held accountable for the incident. The department has announced that any unauthorized or non-compliant events will be shut down immediately, and organizers will be held fully accountable under the law.
Organizers’ Response
The organizers of the Shaun 101 Street Bash have defended their operational plan, stating that the incident occurred "a few streets away" from the venue and that the event had officially ended. They added that the alleged perpetrators were not official attendees of the event because they did not have the wristbands required for entry, and that admittance was monitored by private security. The organizers stated that they had implemented a comprehensive security plan, including private security personnel and coverage across the majority of the perimeter surrounding the venue. However, the Department of Public Safety has stated that the organizers will still be held liable for the incident.
Consequences for Unauthorized Events
The City of Johannesburg has announced that it will not allow street bashes for the entire festive season, and that any unauthorized or non-compliant events will be shut down immediately. The department has stated that event organizers will be held fully accountable under the law, and that arrests will be made for non-compliance. This approach is aimed at preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future, and at ensuring that event organizers take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of their attendees.
Event Hosting Guidelines
The City of Johannesburg has a 26-point checklist for those applying to host an event that incorporates municipal infrastructure. The department advises that two types of venue protocols apply to public entertainment gatherings. One is for a party in a closed venue, where fire, electrical, structural, and evacuation certificates and plans need to be submitted to the city. The other is an event at a stadium, where the city approves the plans and stadium management coordinates proceedings. Event organizers are required to obtain permission from the JMPD and to implement a comprehensive security plan, including private security personnel and coverage across the majority of the perimeter surrounding the venue.
Conclusion
The incident at the Shaun 101 Street Bash has highlighted the importance of obtaining permission from the relevant authorities before hosting an event, and of implementing a comprehensive security plan to ensure the safety of attendees. The City of Johannesburg’s zero-tolerance approach to unauthorized mass gatherings is aimed at preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future, and at ensuring that event organizers take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of their attendees. Event organizers must take note of the city’s guidelines and protocols for hosting events, and must obtain the necessary permissions and approvals before hosting an event. By doing so, they can help to prevent incidents like the one that occurred at the Shaun 101 Street Bash, and ensure that their events are safe and successful.