Violence mars Mzuzu show
Security lapses in music performances came to the limelight at Squirrels Park in Mzuzu on Sunday during a show that brought together Lulu, Dan Lu, Skeffa Chimoto, Ril B and Fitzgerald Simfukwe.
The show was characterised by violence as patrons went about fighting each other, breaking bottles on the dance floor whereas others vandalised property at the newly-opened venue.
One patron was arrested and detained by the police as the owner of the venue is pressing for compensation for the broken ceramic hand-wash basin and mirrors at the facility.
The conduct did not please the musicians and owner of the venue who is contemplating of closing the place for music performances.
The incident comes a few days after musician-cum-event organiser Lucius Banda complained about misconduct of police officers in shows.
Banda alleged that instead of policing the shows, the security detail aid gate crashers for “a small embarrassing amount” to get themselves drunk while on duty.
However, Squirrels Park owner Keliophas Tobias said the security personnel’s conduct during the show was perfect.
“The conduct of the police and bouncers we hired was 100 percent good. The problem was with the fans who went about fighting each other and breaking up property.
“It is disappointing because I invested a lot of money just to change the entertainment scene here, but with such conduct I may close down the venue,” he said.
Dan Lu and Lulu also took time off their performances to implore fans in Mzuzu to take care of the venue which they described as “magnificent” and “a motivation for artists to visit the city now and then.”
Despite such setbacks, the well-patronised show did not disappoint on the quality of acts. The musicians put up spirited performances beginning around 6pm for a show that was meant to start at 2.30pm.
It spilled over to the early hours of Monday with Lulu as the last performer having taken over from Dan Lu.
Chimoto, backed by Real Sounds Band, paid homage to the 15 people that died in an accident involving four vehicles on the outskirts of Mzuzu City on Friday evening.
