Blame the drunkards, not Fish - Olopeng

*Minister Olopeng blames tragedy on excessive intake of intoxicants 

The founder of Gaborone International Music Concert (GIMC) Fish Pabalinga is being crucified and blamed for the death in a stampede of NametsoBogopa, 22. However the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Thapelo Olopeng has harshly put the blame on excessive intake of alcohol. Olopeng came on hard early this week when addressing the media about the misfortune that befell the country two weeks ago when young Bogopa lost her life at the GIMC festival in Gaborone. Investigations are still ongoing as to what could have led to her death.

However, reports suggest poor security measures. Meanwhile the minister has rubbished the claims saying the act was deliberate and the culprits were under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. “Some breed of animals did not do this, we lost a life, it was done by individuals who had obviously come to the festival with a different agenda and not the mandate of the promoters,” he said.

There were reports of rape, robbery and knife stabbings from the audience however, Olopeng still maintained his stand that certain culprits had decided to behave in a certain way and ruin the festival altogether. Nevertheless he assured that the government will deal with the matter accordingly and assured that they will release a report soon of the way forward.

The promoters were not accorded a chance to speak with the minister during the media briefing even though they had shown interest. Meanwhile Batswana are still nursing open wounds over what transpired at the festival and have publicly aired their displeasure with Pabalinga. One social media user attacked the GIMC founder saying, “U killed the industry Fish, your love for money has caught up with you, you should have had good security man!! There is something called a show is 'sold out', you have blood in your hands,” fired Kago Caine Mogorosi. In his defence Pabalinga said, “U are assuming a lot of things, but I choose to remain quite in the interest of the pain everyone is going through.”

Another youth called Lorato Setlhare said she will never attend GIMC ever again in her life, “That was a disaster, we were not safe especially the women, Pabalinga must fall, you disappointed big time.”