Fifteen years since Ellis Park disaster

The Ellis Park Stadium Disaster, ranks as South Africa’s worst sporting accident. File pic

TODAY marks 15 years since 43 fans lost their lives during a Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.

One hundred and fifty-eight people were also injured when 80 000 supporters tried to cram into a 60 000-seater venue on Wednesday, 11 April 2001.

The tragedy, known as the Ellis Park Stadium Disaster, ranks as South Africa’s worst sporting accident.

An inquiry blamed stadium organisers, fans, League officials, police and private security guards for a combination of events – from bad planning to graft – that led to the disaster.

KICK OFF remembers those who passed, and their affected loved ones. May it never happen again.

RIP: The football-lovers who lost their lives at Ellis Park

Madikana Samuel Selepe, 39, Diepsloot

Johannes Mandla Mthembu, 36, Palm Springs, Vaal

Johannes Motlasi Letsoara, 35, Potchefstroom

Sphiwa Esrome Mpungose, 13, Burgersdale, West Rand

Ivan Jeffrey Bezuidenhout, 39, Potchefstroom

Mbulelo Diniso, 25, Orlando East

Veleta Eunice Mouton, 26, Windmill Park, East Rand

Rosswin Andre Nation, 11, Ennerdale Pretty

Lephina Phatsisi, 26, Balfour

Jabu Maliyon Mkhize, 33, Delmas

Alpheus Sethlake, 41, Alexandra

Gideon Mudau, 34, Kromdraai, Midrand

Jabulisile Xaba, 25, Berea, Johannesburg

Danny Tigerls, 30, Pietersburg

Angelina Mncube, 28, Joubert Park, Johannesburg

Callistus Dumisani Dube, 29, Balfour Park, Johannesburg

Mduduzi Thomo, 27, Jabulani, Soweto

Tsietsi Daniel Wae, 54, Kagiso

Michael Tsolo Nyakane, 41, Orkney

Steven Modise Tshetlo, 42, Delpark, East Rand

Calvin Arnolds, 34, Ennerdale

Lefa James Lefera, Gauteng

Rakgabo Frans Shongoane, 34, Pretoria

Ernest Mandla Moyo, 33, Berea, Johannesburg

John Oupa Mbambata, 34, Delareyville

Deborah Selina Maphanga, 25, Duduza

Thandi Merrium Thabethe, 23, Standerton

Abel Tshabangu, 35, Diepkloof, Soweto

Elias Ngomane, 21, Johannesburg

Nkosana Elliot Hlongwane, 40, Katlehong

Nhlanhla Meshack Zulu, 30, Duduza

Raymond Mfana Gwala, 47, Zamdela

Senki Jacob Mzizi, 47, Tsakane

Stanley Tshikovhi, Tembisa

Selaala Pae Maloma, Schoononborg

Gugu Majozi, Jabulani, Soweto

Maggie Luthuli, Protea Glen, Soweto

Robert Molako, Atteridgeville

Kenneth Msimango, Thokoza

Frans More, Dobsonville

Jabulane Raymond Baloi, Tembisa

Bafana Isaac Mabuza, Tembisa

Mampo Rinah Ntsoane, Berea, Johannesburg

-KickOff.com