VIDEO: Protesters shut down banks in OR Tambo street

About 150 people staged a protest outside ABSA Bank in OR Tambo Street on Tuesday morning.

They held up placards denouncing job losses at Optimum Colliery.

According to one of the protesters, about 7 500 jobs are being cut at Optimum, following it’s sale last month.

“There’s also a protest in Hendrina. Where must we go without jobs?”

Police closed a portion of the street and it was unclear when the road would be opened again.

All banks in the street, including ABSA and Nedbank, as well as several shops shut doors and watched the protest from a distance.

Protesters were largely peaceful but Police were keeping a watchful eye.