A journalist’s personal experience of the music festival

Driving through the crowded streets, filled with drunken people, was terrifying. All roads to and from the Indoor Sports Complex were filled with pedestrians. While not all were drunk, few if any cared about the rules of the road.

Many were walking and drinking… or worse, driving erratically. How nobody was hit by a drunk driver I do not know!

My camera made me a target, as everyone was demanding photos. At times, it was a terrifying experience. The only place you felt truly safe was near the stage and the VIP tent.

Any time I ventured into the crowd, I was groped, tugged at and accosted. You can handle being surrounded by drunk people demanding photos to a degree, but seeing so many youngsters drinking and obviously drunk was unnerving.

Any movement by car became dangerous, with men falling on the car and kissing my windscreen and side windows.

I recall at some point one or two people trying to open my car doors to get in. It became safer just to stay in the VIP tent.

I witnessed security guards and police officers (those that were present) forcibly moving the crowds back, with young schoolchildren in the crowd as well. It was frightening to watch!

Throughout the night, it felt like I was trapped in a controlled riot. Don’t get me wrong, people were enjoying themselves and even I enjoyed the music, seeing famous faces, etc. But it should not be at such a risk for the ordinary man in the street.

DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
If you are reading this on your cellphone and there are telephone numbers provided in the text, you can call these simply by clicking on them.
To receive news links via WhatsApp.

For the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter  why not join us there?