Media Statement from North West Media Centre
Corporate Communication
South African Police Service

Police in the North West would like to advise the broader community in Moretele and the vicinity to exercise caution while attending or participating in events or gatherings including the one that is held at Moretele Bridge to celebrate and welcome the New Year.

It has come to the attention of the police that apparently some events are conducted without compliance with the provisions of Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, 2010 (ACT NO. 2 of 2010) including the one held at Moretele Bridge. Not only is it illegal to hold any event in contravention of Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, 2010, but also it places the lives of attendees at risk. SAPS therefore urge all law abiding citizens to avoid participating in such events, for their own safety as well as not to find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

According to the information available at this stage, the Moretele Bridge event has no organisers.  The local municipality is also neither aware about the event nor gave authority to anyone to use the venue for such activity.  Participation or attendance of events organised in contravention of Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, 2010 is exposing attendees or participants to safety risks including failure to check and verify sufficient security, risk categorisation, venue capacity and many other factors. 

In some instances, attendees and participants lose financially by paying for entry fees for illegal events that do not take place as scheduled. 

It is important that local police stations are engaged and enquiries made for procedures that must be followed when one organises event or any gathering. 

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Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone:

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