Newcastle shut down by protest

Multiple entrances to Newcastle are closed as the Newcastle shutdown continues.

Newcastle Advertiser journalists have been on scene at the following points:

• Allen Street/HJ van Eck (exiting Newcastle towards Volksrust/Utrecht)
• Albert Wessels Drive
• Amcor Dam (Umfolozi Drive)
• Drakensberg Drive
• Kwamathukuza

Here’s what’s been happening since just before 4am this morning:

Journalists arrived at the meeting point on the N11 at the Allen Street intersection and met with march organiser, Mdu Mnisi. Despite the cold, protesters appeared to be in high spirits while Mnisi committed to keeping the march peaceful.

En route to Amcor Dam, protesters claimed they were threatened at gunpoint by a motorist, who demanded they get off the road. A short while later, riot police were deployed to scene, reportedly to control the situation.

Gathered at the Allen St/HJ van Eck intersection, protesters are out in numbers. Despite police trying to clear the road, it has since been completely blocked off to traffic as tyres burn and vuvuzelas punctuate the atmosphere, in what seems to be a relatively peaceful protest.

Journalists then headed back towards Amcor Dam, where they reported many protesters, but no volatility. Back on Allen Street, it was confirmed the road is entirely closed, with tyres burning near the Magnolia Street intersection. Albert Wessels Drive, near the Jooste Road crossing, is also entirely blocked off to motorists, forcing some to have to turn around.

JUST IN: A journalist at the protest scene at HJ van Eck/Allen has just confirmed a stun grenade has been thrown by a police official. Protesters are complaining their fires are being put out by authorities.

A local emergency WhatsApp group forwarded a message reportedly sent by a security company, indicating the following:

• Blue municipal skip bins have been pushed onto the street on Kirkland Street in the CBD
• The Amcor Dam route has been closed off and SAPS is on scene
• N11 north is all clear
• HJ van Eck/ Allen is closed by protesters and SAPS is on scene
• N11 south (casino entrance) is completely closed
• R34 Memel Road is clear
• Trim Park is clear – no vehicles