Residents air disgust over Spring Fiesta mess
Revellers who could not make it into the Nicci Beach for the annual Spring Fiesta festival on October 3, opted to camp on North Rand Road and surrounding streets.
At night, North Rand Road and other, surrounding streets, including Rondebult Road, became chaotic as revelers partied in the streets, drinking in public and braaing on pavements.
The worst was seen the following day, as the streets were littered with all kinds of rubbish, including broken bottles.
Local resident took to social media to air their disgust.
The Advertiser’s Facebook page was abuzz with comments from residents who felt the aftermath of the music festival was not doing any justice to them.
Here’s what was said:
Colleen Rooschuz: I live in Bardene. We have been fighting these raves for 15 years now, it falls on deaf ears, too many “back handers” given out. We have tried all sorts of avenues to no avail. Never mind the mess. What about the noise? Next Saturday there is another one, we get “locked” out of our own suburb, are actually told not to have friends around. I have been paying rates and taxes here for 41 years now, for what, for outsiders to come and ruin the area. I must admit, last night was the worst we have seen. Signing petitions does not help.
Jackie Schultz: We drove through it last night and were totally disgusted. People were having a party in the street – they didn’t seem to have intentions of going to the designated venue.
De Jean Bosman: To make this all worse, the organisers came around to all the businesses around the area to complete a survey of what effect this has on the businesses. The worst part is that they came with these surveys the day before the party. I’m sure a lot of the businesses said it has no effect on them, so with those surveys completed a day before the event they will get away with it.
Lalita Cook: I passed through this nightmare last night and drove over some glass. Disgusted. Not a police officer or EMPD in sight, awful, braaing on pavements, vandalised businesses, glass everywhere.
Lizette Peyper: And once again history repeats itself. The same thing happened last year. Time to stop these events or get the event organisers to clean up the mess. It looks like a squatter camp. So glad I don’t have to go to the mall today.
Hermanus Manie Booysen: This was no Fiesta it was an attempt to destroy the infrastructure and the environment. Absolutely shocking. Ons het nie sulke negatiewe gebeurtenisse nodig nie.
Larissa Reynders: Police were there and did not do a thing. Disgusting. These people have are spineless and have no dignity.
Pauline Averre: The people organising these events should be responsible for the clean up, they make enough money.
Chédene Heenop: We were at Orama Roadhouse last night just after 9pm and there were taxis there full of the partygoers, pulling their bits out and urinating in their alcohol bottles and leaving it in the parking lot. I had to tell the kids to look away. Disgusting and barbaric.
Tracy Mckenna Graham: And this happens every year. Same mess same disturbance and nothing gets done. See you next year again, same same.
Mandy Moolman de Lange: I’m disgraced by the mess left after the festival. The streets look like a riot took place – if there is a petition to ban the festival next year I’ll definitely be signing that. Poor show.
Esmarie Swanepoel: It was a damn nightmare last night. I live in Ravenswood and could hear the crap in my lounge. Not to mention Rondebult Road was barricaded by police at 8.30pm last night so I had to try and fight my way home via ERPM. I’m very sorry but H20 is no better. Only reason there are no bottles in the street is because it’s a drug-induced crowd. You’ll be sure to find loads of little bankies around there the morning after. It’s damn annoying.
The Advertiser is still awaiting comment from the Ekurhuleni Metro, the EMPD and the Boksburg North SAPS.
