NELSPRUIT – Traffic congestion left motorists who were trying to leave Mbombela Stadium frustrated on Saturday. This occurred as tens of thousands of people descended on the stadium.
It can accommodate approximately
50 000 people, but had reached its capacity by mid-morning.
Security closed the gates and refused entry to more supporters. Yet people were still arriving in packed buses and even walking from the city centre.
The traffic congestion on the N4 led from the stadium right to the traffic lights at I’langa Mall.
At the N4 at Hall’s Gateway vehicles were on the wrong side of the road trying to get back to Nelspruit.
Eyewitnesses reported that they saw members of the Mpumalanga Police Tactical Response Team had stopped to help and do the job of traffic officials, who were absent at the intersections.
The following day streets and the area around the stadium were strewn with garbage. Cleaners were already busy picking up the rubbish at the stadium in the early hours of Sunday.
Bossies Community Justice’s
Mr Jacques Meiring said that on Saturday they had numerous reports in Nelspruit of aggressive confrontations between supporters and lodge staff.
He said at one lodge the manager was almost assaulted when he tried to prevent supporters from trying to sneak more people into their rooms.
“There were confrontations between the general public and supporters as well.
One must learn to be the better person and walk away in instances like this.”
The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison spokesman,
Mr Joseph Mabuza stated there was a joint team effort by police, SARS, emergency medical services and the traffic department.
“It was a joint operation so police were also assigned to help with the crowd and traffic.”
He said all those involved assisted in the smooth running of the event.
