Burning tyres and thick black smoke drew attention to a protest outside TranServe – JHT Mining and Transport Engineering in Middelburg’s industrial area early this morning.
Protesters set tyres alight in the road and handed a memorandum to the company.
According to TranServe, the protest was motivated by local youth demanding employment from the business.
Local security personnel were already at the scene before 07:00. Middelburg SAPS officers arrived at about 08:00 to help calm the situation. Police and security teams remained outside and monitored the situation at business.
No March and March members
Although community reports initially suggested the protesters were part of the March and March movement, local organiser Bheki Khumalo denied that the action was organised by the group.
“We have no knowledge of official members or action,” Khumalo told the Middelburg Observer.
He stressed that the protest was not an official March and March action and urged the public to verify information before sharing it. Khumalo said unofficial actions wrongly linked to the movement could have a negative effect on the organisation.
He added that he had confirmed the matter with Pretty Thwala, the provincial organiser and acting deputy chairperson of March and March in the Steve Tshwete area.
Local company confirms
The Middelburg Observer requested comment from TranServe – JHT.
The company responded, stating that the protesters had dispersed, but added that this morning was the second day protesters had gathered at the local business, after demonstrations started yesterday morning.
The protesters were identified in the memorandum as part of the Uitkyk Youth Development Group.
Attempts to request comment from the organisation were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
