SKHILA – Angry residents have blocked the R37 saying they are fed up with the lack of job opportunities and irregularities regarding service delivery by Thaba Chweu Municipality. Three trucks were stopped and could not proceed to their destination. The protest started in the early hours of Monday morning with people physically blocking the road to prevent vehicles from using it.

They started burning tyres and throwing stones at passing cars. According to a driver of one of the trucks, Mr Sipho Mango, the community looked very angry and the situation was bad. “When I saw them throwing stones at the other truck and blocking the way, I immediately tried to get away by turning but unfortunately I got stuck in the mud and couldn’t go anywhere.”

Mango was saved the local police. “If it were not for the SAPS, I don’t know what they would have done to me, I was very fortunate,” he said. Law enforcement quickly cleared the road at 02:11, however, later on protesters went back to the streets and blocked vehicles.

Mr Frik Rossauw, director of Lelievlei, said his car was thrown with rocks just after 11:00. “Luckily they missed my vehicle.”
The situation is said to be under control, but the SAPS is on standby should local turn violent again.
Read more in the next print edition of Steelburger/Lydenburg News.