Ongoing strike turns violent
Another meeting was held today at Greater Tubatse Municipality, but the paper’s sources reported that the outcome was also negative.
BURGERSFORT – The strike that started on Wednesday turned violent this morning as protestors made their way to Burgersfort.
A meeting between community representatives and the mines that was held yesterday in Ga-Mapuru to address the issue, but no resolution was reached.
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 held on July 22.
Steelburger/Lydenburg News called the municipality offices around 13:08 to confirm the outcome, but the woman who answered the phone at the municipality said that they were having lunch and the newspaper must phone back at 14:00 to receive an answer.
The protestors gathered in front of the municipality, in Dirk Winterbach Street early this morning. At 12:00 the protestors were busy building a concrete wall on the road. They threatened Steelburger/Lydenburg News’ journalist when she wanted to take photos.
Police were on the scene and a SAPS helicopter hovered overhead.
Sources reported that protestors are travelling back to the Steelpoort area, using the R555 road. Citizens are advised to use alternative roads and avoid the R555 road.
A bus was set alight in Malekane last night, where passengers were injured and rushed to Dilokong Hospital.
This morning numerous roads around the Greater Tubatse District were blocked by burning tyres and rocks. The Burgersfort police cleared the roads by 11:00, but the protestors travelled to Burgersfort from Tukakgomo, Ga-Mampuru and Phasha.
While travelling on the R37 road to Burgersfort, the protestors damaged to numerous businesses and vehicles. They also harassed pedestrians in Burgersfort.
Businesses have closed. Steelburger/Lydenburg News will keep readers updated as soon as we receive new information.
