On 8 July there was an international soccer match between Zimbabwe and South Africa at the National Sports Stadium in Harare. The stadium was filled to capacity with spectators. At the beginning of the match some people in the stadium chanted MDC slogans and flashed MDC signs. Towards the end of the match some spectators started to throw cans and mostly plastic bottles onto the pitch after the South Africans had scored their second goal. The police responded by firing into the crowded stands a large number of tear gas canisters. Panic ensued and people tried to run towards the exits to get away from the noxious fumes. Tear gas canisters were fired towards some of the exits as people were trying to get out of the stadium. Thirteen people died as a result of being trampled during the stampede of people. Among those killed in the stampede were four children, the youngest age 5.

The following is a statement taken by the Human Rights Legal Unit from one of the victims, Mr Cashmore Gachira:

I was with five other people, all family members and friends, at the stadium. I was in Bay 2. After South Africa scored its second goal, I observed some supporters moving out of the stadium. Some other disgruntled fans were throwing empty plastic bottles into the stadium, but not as far as the pitch. I was seated about 50m from the police, and I observed the following incident. About three police officers who were in front of me indiscriminately fired teargas canisters in the general direction of where I was seated. I started running towards the exit gate. My brother was in front of me, but in the pandemonium I lost sight of him.

After the second batch of steps, I observed that people were running back from the exit gates. These people were forcing their way into the stadium against the flow of the crowds. I got the impression that either the exit gates were locked, or the people were being teargassed from outside the exit. At this stage somebody fired water from a firehose. I collapsed.

When I regained consciousness, I noticed that my brother’s 10-year-old son, Tonderai Jeke Gachira, was lying dead about 4 to 6 metres from where I was. My young brother came to where I was lying and told me that my other brother, Hondo, was also dead. It later turned out that he was not dead, however, but had merely collapsed. He regained consciousness in the Parirenyatwa Hospital.

Police Might Be Charged in Zimbabwe
Associated Press report
July 19, 2000

At least five police officers might face criminal charges in the deaths of 13 fans killed in a stampede after police fired tear gas during a World Cup qualifying game. Zimbabwe's police chief said Wednesday the officers might be charged with involuntary manslaughter stemming from the July 8 soccer game in the capital between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Some police were "derelict" when they fired tear gas in the stands at bottle-throwing fans, Police Chief Augustine Chihuri said in announcing preliminary findings of a police inquiry. "Truly, there was too much gas," he said. "Perhaps it should not have been applied."

Among the 50,000 fans were some 300 opposition agitators. The police chief said they were deliberately placed in one grandstand to disrupt the game, adding police had evidence they were transported to the stadium. The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change has repeatedly denied the accusations. Witnesses said many fans gave the MDC's open-hand salute and held red cards. Red cards are a soccer symbol the opposition used during the campaign for last month's parliamentary elections to signify that Mugabe's party should be removed. The national anthem was ``interrupted by some hooligans,'' the inquiry reported. Witnesses at the stadium said political jibes were also directed against Mugabe's nephew Leo, head of the Zimbabwe Football Association.

Chihuri, an appointee of President Robert Mugabe, denied that a contingent of 400 police were so angered by the opposition slogans that they overreacted. The opposition poses the biggest challenge to Mugabe's hold on power since he led the nation to independence in 1980.

Chihuri said two people were arrested for throwing objects on the field and other suspects from among the group of agitators were being sought. They would face charges of public violence and possible involuntary manslaughter charges.