No end in sight for ongoing strike
Eyewitnesses at Eerste Geluk said that the protestors from Tukakgomo, Ga-Mampuru and Phasha are planning to blockade the R555, R577 and the R37 to prevent vehicles from entering or exiting the Tubatse area until their demands are met
BURGERSFORT – The strike that started on Wednesday is still ongoing after sources reported that mine representatives never arrived for the meeting that was scheduled to be held at Greater Tubaste Municipality on Friday. The community leaders allege that the mines have not honoured their promises and that they changed their attitudes towards the community since the first meeting on July 22.
A bus was set alight in Malekane on Thursday night. Roads around the Greater Tubatse District were blocked by burning tyres and rocks on Friday morning by protesters who travelled to Burgersfort from Tukakgomo, Ga-Mampuru and Phasha. On the R37 road to Burgersfort, protesters damaged to numerous businesses and vehicles. They also harassed pedestrians.The Burgersfort police cleared the roads by 11:00.
The havoc continued when protesters returned, via the R555, to Ga-Mampuru, Phasha and Tukakgomo. Many Burgersfort businesses closed their doors. They continued stoning at cars and harassing pedestrians and hawkers. Five trucks and a Toyota Avanza were also set alight by protesters near the Steelbridge.
On Saturday the strike calmed and all roads were cleared. During Sunday morning the protesters were out in full force again, blocking Mashishi, Eerstegeluk Bridge, the R555 and Steelbridge.
Police were on the scene and without any serious incidents all the roads were cleared and the protesters dispersed by 14:00. The source added that a community meeting was scheduled for 17:00 Sunday, but was postponed to 16:00 on Monday at the Malekana sports grounds, next to Steelbridge. All roads were clear and the local police were standing by to monitor the meeting.
Steelburger/Lydenburg News is still waiting to hear the outcome of today’s meeting, but according to our sources it sounds like the outcome was also negative; “The unrest will continue, until an agreement can be reached with the mines regarding job opportunities and non-payments. Smaller protest groups will focus on areas where the SAPS are not present, which includes the entire R555, Steelbridge and Lydenburg road” added the source.
Already at 15:00 communities were gathering next to the R37 road to Polokwane. Sources reported that taxi drivers turned violent when shots were fired on the R555 road to Ohrigstad, but Police were at the scene and the situation was under control.
Eyewitnesses at Eerste Geluk said that the protestors from Tukakgomo, Ga-Mampuru and Phasha are planning to blockade the R555, R577 and the R37 to prevent vehicles from entering or exiting the Tubatse area until their demands are met. The police are monitoring and dispersing protestors at communities participating in the strike.
We advise readers to use alternative roads until the strike has dispersed on the R555 road, especially near the Eerste Geluk turn off. We will keep readers informed as we receive information regarding the strike.
