Valencia was turned into a place of chaos and mayhem on Saturday when a group of approximately 200 people descended on the area near Valencia Combined School.
Comprising mostly youngsters, the people blocked the streets with more than 10 Toyota Quantam taxis in which they had travelled. They are believed to be from the neighbouring townships.
Nelspruit Post was alerted to the situation by a concerned resident and community policing forum member, Mr Mohammed Jeewa.
He said he had received a call from a witness who had bottles thrown at his car by the seemingly drunk youngsters who were camping out in the area.
According to Jeewa, they had called the police for assistance, but officials took their time before arriving on the scene.
“Our question is if it was a crime scene where victims were being held at gunpoint, how long would it have taken the police to arrive at the scene?” he asked.
He added that the revellers were a danger to residents as they were scaring them with their violent behaviour. “We had to follow them around and try to disperse them. The police took more than two hours to come to our assistance,” he said.
It was only after Nelspruit Post had arrived on the scene and also called the local police that officers were sent to the area. The youngsters had left by the time the SAPS arrived in three vans.
The community was also concerned about the railway line bordering Valencia Combined School.
Jeewa said Transnet has contracted a local security company to erect a fence to enclose the railway line.
“We are just afraid because people, especially young kids pass there every day. What if they are run over by the locomotives?” he asked.
Another concerned community member, Ms Mary Schatz, expressed disapproval of the young people’s behaviour.
“Most of these kids look very young, I am sure they are not older than 18.”Who sold them the alcohol?” she asked.
