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'Cleansing ceremony' South Africa remembers victims of stampede
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) -- About 6,000 people attended an emotional "cleansing ceremony" at a soccer stadium Sunday in remembrance of the 43 fans who died there last week in a stampede, the worst tragedy in the nation's sporting history. Mourners entered the Ellis Park stadium weeping and clutching each other for support. Some soccer fans came dressed in their team colors, carrying banners bearing the names of those who died. "I came here to see where it happened with my own eyes, and now I feel satisfied," said Skcais Mashintje, whose friend died in the stampede. The stampede occurred last Wednesday during a Premier League match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, the country's two most popular teams, as tens of thousands of fans tried to cram into the already packed stadium. Scores of people were injured. By Sunday, all but 10 of them had been released from hospital. A choir sang hymns and the national anthem at the ceremony, which was broadcast live on national television. Overcome with grief, several women sobbed uncontrollably as the victims' names were read out and scrolled on a giant screen. Religious leaders then blessed holy water and sprinkled it on the stadium grounds and the northeast stand -- where several people were crushed to death -- in a symbolic cleansing ritual. One man collapsed and was carried away on a stretcher. Among the dignitaries in attendance were a somber President Thabo Mbeki, several of his Cabinet ministers, players from the two teams and undisputed heavyweight world boxing champion Lennox Lewis, who is in the country to defend his title against Hasim Rahman April 22. "All of us wish we were not here today," Mbeki said. "You know that the whole country and the whole world is with you in this moment of grief." Accompanied by his mother Violet, Lewis laid a wreath before joining a group of soccer players who gathered on the pitch alongside the victims' families. "I just came to show my support," said Lewis, who was greeted with loud cheers as he entered the stadium. "My condolences go out to the families." About 30,000 people were expected to attend the ceremony, but rain earlier in the day kept many people away. Mbeki has ordered a judicial inquiry into the disaster. "We must await the outcome of that inquiry, which is not focused on who is to blame, but focused on ensuring it does not happen again," Mbeki said. "We have to take care of the soccer fans."
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