Update: Protest action ‘due to labour unrest’
The protest action which closed the N11 road between Middelburg and Loskop Dam last week was because of "labour unrest" according to construction company HHO.
A construction worker was also killed and others injured when a woman smashed into them during the early hours of last Wednesday morning.
According to the Middelburg SAPS, the driver of a silver VW Polo drove from Groblersdal to Middelburg and as stated by the driver she did not see the flashlights.
“Only when she was near did she apply brakes but it was too late. She hit the construction on the side of the road and also construction workers. One of the workers died on the scene and the other one was slightly injured, ” W/O Lize de Witt stated. Police also confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened.
Strike action by an estimated 60 construction workers began on Thursday and was largely peaceful as it was limited to the side of the road. The road remained open and private personnel were brought in to man the Stop/ Go points.
However, late during that evening it escalated as more than 100 protesters joined in the strike and intimidated private personnel.
The road was no longer deemed safe to drive on and it was closed by the Traffic Department.
Riaan Ilse of construction company HHO stated that the accident in which one worker was killed is totally unrelated to the strike action.
“One worker was dismissed a while ago and members of a union want him to be reinstated. That’s why they striking,” he said.
“The strike has got nothing to do with safer working conditions. We reached a decision on Friday night and a meeting will be held on Wednesday to resolve this issue. For now the road is open, the road is safe and the strike is over”.
Read previous story here:
Update: N11 road closed as strike escalates
N11 Traffic not affected by strike
