ANCYL make their way to Ballito
Stay tuned for updates as we bring you the latest from the ANCYL march
Hundreds of protesters are slowly making their way to Ballito as the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) march against the new Ballito Junction Regional Mall gets underway.
ANCYL KZN Secretary Thanduxolo Sabelo is leading what they are calling the ‘Radical Economic Freedom March’, saying that they represent the region’s youth who are demanding jobs from the mall developers.
LIVE UPDATES
3.15pm
After a long day, the crowds have slowly begun to disperse.
Police and emergency services are however still on scene.
Ballito Drive is congested and drivers are encouraged to avoid the area.
According to both Umhlali SAPS spokesperson warrant officer Vinny Pillay and the ANCYL, an estimated 20 000 people were present, however other reports suggest a much lower number.
2.55pm
https://www.facebook.com/northcoastcourier/videos/1476310205721655/
2.50pm
2.03pm
ANCYL marchers are on the Junction premisis.They broke through a fence #junctionprotest @nccourier pic.twitter.com/u5QOTc3n1K
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
1.55pm
Thousands of ANCYL marchers have forced their way into the Ballito Junction.
ANCYL are rushing onto Ballito Junction property. stoning the police and guards. Situation out of control @nccourier #junctionprotest
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
“The front gate is broken and security cannot contain the situation,” said IPSS Medical Security’s Paul Herbst.
1.48pm
The protesters are reportedly throwing stones over the fence into the Junction property.
ANCYL are making their way into Junction @junctionprotest @nccourier
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
1.21pm
The large group arrived in Ballito. Thousands of marchers on the P445. @nccourier pic.twitter.com/U95K9ENxOO
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
1.05pm
The marchers are forcing cars to turn aroundon the P445 opposite McDonalds @nccourier
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
1pm
The marches are singing and dancing on the road opposite McDonalds @nccourier pic.twitter.com/2R0S26JDys
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
12.48pm
https://twitter.com/eri_abrahams/status/844863494067535872
12.46
12.45pm
IPSS Medical Rescue’s Dylan Meyrick has confirmed that ANCYL protesters set the sugar cane alight next to Braeside wedding venue on the approach to Umhlali Country Club.
The fires were quickly extinguished by KwaDukuza Fire Department.
Police, traffic officials and security companies are present along Ballito Drive and are awaiting the approaching marchers.
12.33pm
Small groups of ANCYL shirt-wearing protesters have started congregating along Ballito Drive.
At present, only a few groups of between 20 and 40 people are in various places along Ballito Drive across from The Junction.
The main crowd of protesters is headed down Ballito Drive from the R102 and are gathering on the approach to the entrance of Umhlali Country Club (UCC).
IPSS Security’s Lina dos Santos said the protesters had stopped before reaching UCC and are waiting for others to join them before continuing towards Ballito.
Police, traffic officials and security companies are on duty along the road and the section of the P445 between the N2 bridge and the R102 has been closed to traffic.
The smaller group of marches at Ballito McDonalds. Looks like they are getting bored with waiting @nccourier pic.twitter.com/81XAPvDJ1B
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
One group of marchers have reached McDonalds in Ballito. The larger group are expected to arrive in about an hour @nccourier
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
12.10pm
The ANCYL march going past Umhlali.
https://www.facebook.com/northcoastcourier/videos/1476208199065189/
11.58pm
The ANCYL march to Ballito going past Shakaskraal.
https://www.facebook.com/northcoastcourier/videos/1476187139067295/
11.19am
The groups of marchers met at Shaka's Head. They are heading to Ballito @nccourier pic.twitter.com/4gJF3rIlNu
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
The #ANCYL plans to hand over their memorandum to the Ballito Junction management at 3pm @nccourier
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
Small groups of marches in Shaka's Head are trying to start marching to Ballito. They are tired of waiting 4 the larger groups. @nccourier
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
Starting in Ntshawini early this morning, the protesters are now heading towards Shaka’s Head where more people are anxiously waiting to join.
They will however have to wait up to two hours before the masses reach them.
From there they will make their way to the Ballio Junction.
The R102 at the Umhlali robots has been closed.
The marches in Shaka's Head will have to wait two hours for the large group who are currently in Groutville. @nccourier pic.twitter.com/L5OrYXHIlp
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
According to Umhlali SAPS spokesperson warrant officer Vinny Pillay, there will be a designated area for the protesters to gather and no one will be permitted to enter the Junction premises.
At a press briefing last week, ANCYL regional secretary Musa Zondi said the mall was a reflection of white monopoly capital.
“The youth are being exploited and it is our responsibility to challenge the opening of the new mall.
“We are holding this march because of the injustice that still prevails in South Africa, we want economic freedom in our lifetime and this radical, historic mass action will take us one step closer. The ANCYL believes the economy should benefit the region as a whole, not just selected people.
“In this light, we are disturbed that the Junction seems to have broken their commitment to source labour locally – employing people from places like Umhlanga, Durban and Tongaat while the youth of KwaDukuza sit without jobs.”
A Tongaat bus operator said a few busses have been hired to pick up marchers from Tongaat and Upper Tongaat #Ancyl @nccourier
— Erica Abrahams (@eri_abrahams) March 23, 2017
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