News

#TrafficUpdate – N11 Hendrina open

After several reports were received about public violence and a road closure at Pullenshope, security at Optimum has informed the Middelburg Observer that the N11 is now open.

November 29, 2018

Sjani Campher 1 minute read

The Hendrina road has been closed by protesters repeatedly throughout the week, leaving motorists stuck in long queues for hours.

Strike action at Optimum Mine has resulted in the blockage of the N11 continuously throughout the year, but protests sparked up again since Monday.

The reason for the demonstrations stems from the eight Gupta-owned companies that were placed under business rescue some time ago.
Contract workers from these companies have been without salaries for months on end, with no sign of when they will be paid.

Also read: BREAKING – Optimum on lockdown, miners down tools, demand answers from ministries

According to business rescue practitioner Louis Klopper, the workers are looking to them for settlement but their hands are tied.

Klopper told www.mobserver.co.za that negotiations need to be settled with the liquidator, Mr Chevon Cooper, who is based in Bloemfontein.
They have received no information from Cooper as to when an effort will be made to meet with the protesters, leaving the ball in the air.

He explained that he can understand their frustrations but that there is little he can do.

Klopper says that despite the protests, things are rather peaceful. Up until now, there has been no injury or damage to property and the strike action mainly takes place outside the property of Optimum Mine.