Spring Fiesta: The traffic, the mess, the clean-up
Prior to the annual Spring Fiesta festival, authorities promised to adopt a no-nonsense approach to ensure a safe and secure environment to the surrounding residence.
Revellers who can’t make it into the Nicci Beach for the festival normally opt to camp on North Rand Road and surrounding streets – they then party in the streets, drink in public and braai on pavements.
But police had vowed that unlike what happened in 2015, gatherings where people braai, drink and party by their vehicles will not be allowed.
They also promised to tow away any vehicles parked on the sideways.
However, on the night of the event, October 1, residents were already questioning the truthfulness and effectiveness of the SAPS’s proposed actions.
Some residents took to the Advertiser’s Facebook page to air their displeasure about the traffic and the aftermath of the music festival.
Joanne Mason: “Vehicles will be towed? Really. North Rand Road is chaos already with cars parked on the side, people drinking in their cars and taking a leisurely stroll across the road. Zero tolerance? Not.”
Candice van der Walt said: “We were on that road at about 10pm last night (October 1) on our way home and it was absolutely horrific. Hordes of drunk people all over the road and taxis parked on every sidewalk. Alcohol bottles and litter everywhere while four cop cars stood and watched.”
Although the cleaning of the Rondebult and North Rand roads started early on Sunday morning, the signs that a huge party was thrown the previous night remained visible.
At around 7.20am on October 2, Florence Mckenzie said North Rand Road “is a mess this morning, wow”.
Lizette Peyper drove down North Rand Road in the morning and said “there where no sign of zero tolerance. It’s disgusting and the sad part is that this happens every year without fail”.
