Scorpion Kings: McKenzie boosts security amid Ekurhuleni murders

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has stepped up security for women at the Scorpion Kings concert at FNB Stadium, adding extra guards and emergency transport for Saturday’s event.

The plan adds 85 security officers, 20 emergency transport vehicles, four patrol vehicles and two secured waiting areas to the existing security operation.

Officials will focus the additional deployment on the hours after the concert, when some patrons may remain around the stadium waiting for e-hailing services, public transport or lifts.

Scorpion Kings Live, headlined by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa, takes place at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 19 September. Stadium Management South Africa lists the event from 14:00 until 23:30.

MCKENZIE TARGETS POST-CONCERT SAFETY

McKenzie introduced the intervention amid growing concern over the safety of women and young girls.

The joint statement from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and Stadium Management South Africa said recent reports of abductions and murders prompted authorities to examine risks around major events.

McKenzie said authorities had identified the period after the concert as a potential danger point.

“A young woman who comes to enjoy a concert should not have to gamble with her safety to get home,” he said.

“We have identified a specific vulnerability in the period after the event, when some patrons may be waiting for transport.”

85 EXTRA SECURITY OFFICERS AT FNB STADIUM

Authorities will set up two well-lit and secured Safety Assembly Areas for patrons waiting for transport.

They will deploy 85 additional security officers specifically for the new initiative, over and above the security already approved for the concert.

Four dedicated patrol vehicles will continuously sweep the surrounding FNB Stadium precinct and assist women found waiting in isolated or unsafe areas.

Gauteng Traffic Police will position vehicles at the Safety Assembly Areas to increase visibility.

Security teams will also direct women away from isolated pedestrian routes and towards protected areas.

The additional deployment will remain in place until the SAPS authorised member declares the precinct clear and safe.

20 EMERGENCY TRANSPORT VEHICLES AVAILABLE

Authorities will also place 20 emergency transport vehicles on standby, each with a dedicated driver.

The service will operate from 22:00 on Saturday until 06:00 on Sunday.

Officials will use the vehicles to assist women and other vulnerable patrons who become stranded or cannot secure safe transport.

However, McKenzie stressed that the service will not operate as a free shuttle.

Patrons who use the emergency transport service must provide identification, contact information and destination details. Officials will keep passenger registers and monitor journeys.

Concertgoers must still make their own transport arrangements before attending the event.

EXTRA MEASURES ADDED TO EXISTING SECURITY PLAN

The new measures will support, rather than replace, the security plan already approved for the concert.

SAPS, Gauteng Traffic Police, emergency services, Stadium Management South Africa, the appointed safety officer and private security companies will run the wider security operation.

Stadium Management South Africa CEO Bertie Grobbelaar said the organisation would integrate the new measures into the event’s existing command structure.

McKenzie said he wanted similar safety measures to become standard at major events across South Africa.

“We want this to become the standard at major events across South Africa,” he said.