PROMOTER, Partson Chimbodza, popularly known as Chipaz has cleared South African dance Queen Makhadzi and blasted fans for causing the violence which prematurely ended the South African's act in less than 13 minutes in Mutare.
Makhadzi performed at the Mutare Motoring Club on Good Friday alongside Chillspot Records and Killer T, among other acts.
The show was aborted after missiles started flying on and off stage and Makhadzi had to be whisked away from stage for safety.
It is reported that fans had long waited for the singer and dancer who came on stage after midnight. Fans were further irritated when Makhadzi performed with only two dancers with no band while she lip synched her hit tracks.
This resulted in violence, missile throwing and destruction of security barricades that divided the VIP and general access.
However Chipaz put all the blame on fans that he described as rowdy and violent.
"Makhadzi was billed to perform at exactly 12 midnight as planned and she was indeed on time. Just before she went on stage while Chillspot was performing, some rowdy fans forced open the barricades that demarcated the general public from the VIP section and Chillspot had to calm them down,” said Chipaz.
“As Makhadzi went on stage fans wanted to have a near stage experience of their favourite artiste and they also forced their way closer to the stage encroaching the VIP section a scenario that did not go down well with the VIP fans. That’s when pushing and shoving started which resulted in standard section fans hurling missiles towards the VIP section and the VIP section fans retaliated hurling the missiles back.”
Chipaz said missiles that were being thrown towards the VIP arena went towards the stage, hence the assumption that the attacks targeted Makhadzi.
“The missiles were never about the artiste but it was between the VIP section fans and the standard section fans. Once again we apologise to everyone who was a victim of such a mishap and Makhadzi we hope we will work with her again in the near future,” he said.
A fortnight ago another show organised by Chipaz in Dzivarasekwa headlined by Freeman was marred by violence.