Bomb 'threat' frightens fans during AFL final, SAPS responds

After an apparent bomb threat reportedly left fans frightened during the African Football League final at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, SAPS have responded to the incident. 

While the occasion marked a great milestone in African footballing history, it was seemingly almost stained by an incident that saw fans in attendance think that their lives might be in danger when it was incorrectly assumed that a man had been setting up a bomb following the spread what has been deemed to be false information on social media.

Read: 'This is why we lost to Downs in AFL final' – Wydad boss

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has since responded to the incident, rubbishing claims that he was indeed endangering the lives of those at the match. It turned out to be someone preparing the fireworks for after the game, when the champions would be crowned. 

"The person in this video and picture is a service provider who was contracted to supply & display pyrotechnics (fireworks) displays at the end of the game. In this video, he is accompanied by SAPS officers as he is busy setting these devices up," SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated on X (formerly twitter). 

In a statement, the company contracted to handle the fireworks for the post-game festivities, Starbust Pyrotechnics, also confirmed that it was fake news that had been spread. 

"It has come to our attention that spectators, whom attended the African Football League Finals match between Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Wydad Casablanca at Loftus Stadium, has posted some fake news," the company wrote in a post on Facebook. 

"Starburst Pyrotechnics, a professional Pyrotechnics and Fireworks Display company, was appointed by the management of the league to shoot Pyrotechnics and confetti for the winner of the finals. 

"Unfortunately, individuals are posting without applying common sense nor verifying information with the correct authorities before posting on social media.

"All permits were issued and all safety and police authorities were notified. The authorities were notified and they explained to the individuals but unfortunately, even after this fact they have not removed the post from their social accounts."

Read: Sundowns crowned inaugural AFL champions