By CHUSA SICHONE –
TEMPERS flared at Lusaka’s Government Complex in the early hours of yesterday when South African multi-award winning music outfit Mafikizolo failed to perform.
The highly expectant patrons who had paid K250 and K150 respectively to watch Mafikizolo were incensed when the clock ticked into Sunday morning without the South African duo getting on stage.
That was despite several assurances that Theo Kgosingwe and Nhlanhla Nciza were backstage preparing to perform.
The continued delay prompted some patrons, most of whom were drunk, to start hurling insults and booing while others threw bottles and cans on stage to register their displeasure.
At around 01:50 hours on Sunday, other irate people went backstage and vented their anger on two people suspected to be among the organisers whom they roughed up for “swindling” them of their ‘hard-earned’ money and were demanding to be refunded.
The hapless duo escaped further humiliation under unknown circumstances while the South Africans were whisked away by police before the angry mob could pounce on them.
It was in the midst of the turmoil that other angry customers resorted to looting music equipment on stage and other valuables they could lay their hands on.
Some patrons were overheard saying they would only return the items they looted once they were refunded.
It is unclear if Mafikizolo’s equipment was also seized.
By 02:20 hours, most of the patrons started dispersing and the C5 police from nearby Central Police were seen arriving on the scene a few minutes later to ensure law and order was maintained.
Earlier, local artiste Espee famous for the hit song Mistaken identity was booed off the stage as the audience demanded for Mafikizolo at the show which was expected to have started at 20:00 hours.