Magaya stampede claims 11 Prophet Magaya
MAGAYA

Prophet Magaya

Herald Reporters
Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader Prophet Walter Magaya yesterday took the blame for the death of 11 people in a stampede which also left 54 others injured at his crusade in Kwekwe on Thursday night.He said it was clear that the church’s system failed, resulting in the deaths.

“This was our event and as a church we have to take the blame for the tragedy,” said Prophet Magaya.

“It is still too early to say what caused the stampede, but the fact that the stampede took place at the venue means that part of our system failed to function.”

The incident occurred soon after service at around 10pm on Thursday when police closed all but one exit point at Mbizo Stadium for a gathering estimated at around 30 000 congregants.

People then brought down part of the precast wall to get out, resulting in police officers blocking exit points allegedly firing teargas into the crowd.

The 11 people, who included three minors, died after they were trampled on by frightened congregants escaping the teargas.

When The Herald arrived at the scene, bodies of the deceased and the injured had been taken to Kwekwe District Hospital.

Most of the injured suffered broken legs and ribs and bruises all over their bodies, while some dislocated their joints.

Prophet Magaya had already left the stadium when the tragedy occurred and had to rush  back on hearing news of the stampede.

“I am gutted,” he said. “I had already left the venue when I got news that there was commotion at the venue and moments later I was told of people seriously injured.

“Within minutes I was told that eight people had died and others were seriously injured. I rushed back to the venue and it was very sad, the saddest moment of my life,” he said.

“As of this morning (yesterday), I am made to understand that three more people died and that the dead include a pregnant woman and a child. I will be meeting with the authorities and all stakeholders before we can issue an official statement on the tragedy.”

Prophet Magaya visited the injured at Kwekwe District Hospital before visiting families of some of the deceased.

He offered to pay medical bills for the injured.

Officer Commanding Midlands province Senior Assistant Commissioner Shadreck Mubaiwa said four people died on the spot, while seven others died in hospital.

“Prophet Magaya finished preaching around 8.26pm and it was announced that the crusade had ended,” he said. “There was only one entry point at the stadium which resulted in people pressurising each other as they left the stadium,” he said.

“Because of the pressure some people fell down, which resulted in the stampede. The police officers who were there started to control the people so that they could rescue those who had fallen down.”

Snr Ass Comm Mubaiwa said police managed to rescue some of the people who were ferried to hospital and refuted claims that police fired teargas into the crowd.

But PHD head of security Mr Fanuel Kanyoka blamed the police for the stampede.

“They fired teargas into the crowd as if the people were violent,” he said. “When people started running away from the police that is when some fell to the ground.”

Speaking from their hospital beds, some of the injured said chaos started after police at the sole exit point fired teargas into the crowd.

Ms Sithembinkosi Dube, who had gone to the crusade to have her mentally ill husband healed, said people could not withstand the teargas.

“I was close to the entrance when one of the police officers instructed another officer to fire teargas into the crowd so that they would retreat,” she said.

“People then started pushing each other while scurrying for cover. Some started crying out for help as some fell to the ground as a result of the stampede. I fell on top of some people who were later confirmed dead.”

Another victim, Ms Sekai Mpofu, who had gone to the crusade with her family, said police were beating up people after they brought down the precast wall.

“People were pushed back into the crowd by police who also assaulted some of the congregants. They then fired teargas resulting in the stampede,” she said.

A decision was made to cancel the second day of the crusade last night, but people still thronged the stadium for the service.

The church had difficulties convincing them that the service had been cancelled and had to offer them free annointing oil at the gates to pursuade them to leave.

 

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