By Celani Sikhakhane
Rugby World Cup fan parks organised by different municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal for communities to watch the final between South Africa and New Zealand became a disaster when heavy rains destroyed the screens.
The community of Greytown in the uMvoti Local Municipality had to run for their lives when strong winds wrecked their big screen and heavy rains turned the football pitch into a dam.
Celebrities that were organised to entertain community members ahead of the game had to cancel their programme as Mother Nature had other plans.
UMvoti Mayor Philani Mavundla told Scrolla.Africa the rain was bad and they were freezing.
“The weather was against us. The tent was full of water and the screen was destroyed due to strong winds. Fortunately, no one was hurt although the whole area was flooded with water.
“Watching the game had to be cancelled after the disaster,” said Mavundla.
In Richards Bay in the uMhlathuze Municipality community members complained that they had to go home without watching the game.
The outcry was about the technical glitches plaguing the screen organised by the municipality.
“There were three fan parks that were organised by the uMhlathuze municipality. There was one in the Rugby Club, another one that was on the premises of the municipality and the other one in eSikhawini township.
“That one that was at eSikhawini had many problems and people were very angry because the screen never worked throughout the entire final,” said a community member who didn’t want to be named.
Pictured above: The screen at the Greytown Fan Park that was destroyed by heavy rains ahead of the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday.
Image source: Supplied
