Promotional Caps

Like Sacramento with its infamous Wii radio contest, South Africa also has trouble with safeguarding participants in commercial contests:

Tragedy struck at the annual Royal Reed Dance in KwaNongoma on Saturday, when one of the maidens was crushed to death during a stampede that broke out following a scramble for promotional caps.

Another maiden is in a critical condition while 10 others were seriously injured as the event turned into pandemonium.

The incident happened around noon, arts and culture spokesman Vukani Mbhele said in a statement.

A promotional vehicle had apparently stopped outside the palace as maidens were returning from laying their reeds. The occupants of the vehicle handed out caps to them. A scramble ensued as maidens pushed each other to obtain the caps.

The vehicle had been parked near a stack of logs which apparently tumbled as the maidens jostled each other.

The full report on the dead woman and her identity were not immediately available on Saturday. However, initial reports suggested that she had suffered head injuries.

Others fell over the logs, breaking limbs in the process.

Premier Zweli Mkhize, who is a qualified doctor, had to trade in his VIP status and return to his original profession as he helped to stabilise some of the maidens.