More than a month has passed without a single protest being reported on the R40 near Hazyview. This can be attributed to a massive police presence in the area. About a month ago an operation involving about 150 officials, was launched.
| Arrest made during the operation: |
| 1 x attempted murder |
| 4 x business robbery |
| 1 x rape |
| 5 x common robbery |
| 2 x burglary |
| 3 x arson |
| 1 x theft |
| 18 x drug-related crimes |
| 18 x driving under the influence |
| 12 x illegal possession of firearms and ammunition |
| 5 x public violence |
| Confiscation: |
| 73, 77 grams of dagga |
| 39 x ammunition |
| 1 x handgun |
| 4 x rifle |
| 1 x magazine |
| Fines issued – 57. |
For months, residents of Marite have been bringing the area to its knees with lawlessness. Only after various trucks were set alight and schools were burned to the ground, protesters got what they wanted – a passable road.
This was thanks to a contractor who was assigned to grade it. There are conflicting reports on the real reason behind their demand and who the true instigators were. Some say it was the local taxi associations. They cannot access the area with their vehicles to transport schoolchildren because of the road’s condition. Others say that it was the shop owners along the specific stretch of road, who wanted it tarred so that tourists would use it to travel to the Kruger National Park. There are even rumours that the above-mentioned contractor was the instigator because he wanted the contract.
One thing is certain, whoever wanted the road to be tarred, wanted it done urgently.
So serious that at least five trucks were destroyed in the protests that started at the beginning of the year. Schools were also burned down. With Hazyview not having a fire department, some of the classrooms were left ablaze.
Pupils were able to help extinguish some of the flames and not all was lost. Classrooms which contained blackboards, chairs and other educational tools were, however, reduced to ruins.
Hazyview Herald recently paid a visit to the area to assess the aftermath. It was discovered that some of the pupils, which include those of Lamulelani High, now go to school outdoors because the classrooms have been destroyed.
Taxis can now drive on the graded roads, but the question is: how long will the road remain smooth before erosion damages it?
At least it seems as if calm is restored – for now. Also read: Elderly man assaulted during R40 protest
