Middelburg businesses close en masse due to riots
Businesses in Middelburg have been affected by the ongoing riots which have spread from Mhluzi to other areas overnight.
Many businesses have closed down in Middelburg after personnel failed to show for work.
The riots started on Monday (August 16) with the blockage of all Mhluzi entrances.
The riots spread on Wednesday night (August 18), with Extension 24, Hlalamnandi, Rondebosch, Nasaret and Rockdale residents ordered to stay home by rioters.
According to reports from residents, rioters took to the streets with loud-hailers in the above areas, ordering residents to stay home. The entrances to the areas have also been blocked.
A number of restaurants could not open on Thursday (August 19).
NJR Steel made a public appeal for able-bodied workers to help them load steel for clients as none of their employees pitched up for work.
OK Meyer Street managers worked the tills in the absence of workers.
Production was affected at OH Frewin Printers due to minimal turnout of employees.
Municipal services like garbage collection had been cancelled indefinitely while the town’s main landfill has also been closed due to the riots.
Early this morning (August 20) a truck was set alight in Mhluzi, with news of the torching being shared on social media groups like SA Long Distance Truckers, with warnings to steer clear of the area.
The taxi industry has also been affected and very few taxis made it out of the affected areas.
The Hendrina on- and offramps to the N4 have also been closed in an effort to divert traffic from affected areas.
Rioters have vowed to keep Middelburg on lockdown until Municipal Manager, Advocate Bheki Khenisa, resigns.
Video footage of a torched bus in Hlalamnandi:
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