Mashamothane residents hijack a truck and block the R37 with it
“Around 3:00. I was stopped by the local boys and men; they said they needed the government to provide them with electricity and they said their only solution was to block the road. I had no choice but to abide by their orders, as I was afraid for my life” Sekgotho said.
GA MASHAMOTHANE- Residents hijacked two trucks from JMC wood manufacturers and blockaded the R37 with them this morning.
The trucks were loaded with piles of wood and they were from Swaziland, heading to Zebediela.
Children writing exams and workers were left stranded on the busy road between Burgersfort and Polokwane as there was no movement of cars.
One of the drivers Mr Lucas Sekgotho told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that he was stopped by a crowd of more than 100 men who told him to park the truck on the middle of the busy road.
“Around 3:00. I was stopped by the local boys and men; they said they needed the government to provide them with electricity and they said their only solution was to block the road. I had no choice but to abide by their orders, as I was afraid for my life” Sekgotho said.
The road remains blocked, the driver alleges that the truck’s keys were burnt. Burning tyres and stones were also used to barricade the road. Tubatse police have tried to remove the rubble and the burning tyres with no successes
Police and traffic officials are currently directing the cars to alternative gravel roads in the village.Spokesperson of the Tubatse SAPS Const Sello Movundlela said they were still busy with their investigations and promised to report back to the paper.
It looks like it is a trend for Tubatse people to show the frustrations by blockading roads. Last week,the Magakala and Moroke community members barricaded the same road with stones demanding jobs at the Chromex chrome mine. Last month, Frans residents in Driekop also blocked the roads demanding the municipality electrify their houses.
