Protest action blocks traffic on Louwsburg road

Motorists planning to travel via the R69 between Vryheid and Louwsburg are advised to seek alternative routes as protestors near the Louwsburg turnoff currently block the road.
The members of the community who have taken to the streets are said to be demanding electricity and to speak to the mayor about other service delivery issues they have.
Ward 1 councillor TZ Nkosi, who is currently stuck in traffic around the area, says that it is in fact members of the Ward 2 community who are protesting.

“I left my car to try and find out what was the cause for the traffic jam and was informed that members of the Ward 2 community are protesting for service delivery and have used trees and rocks to barricade the road,” said Cllr Nkosi.

Cllr Nkosi’s Ward also obstructed traffic in this road last month demanding service delivery, but he has confirmed that they are not part of today’s march.
The councillor of Ward 2, Cllr Mbusiseni Ntuli says that he was not aware of this protest action until this morning when Cllr Nkosi contacted him.

“I had a meeting with the community two weeks ago to discuss service delivery issues, they informed me that they were planning to have a march but did not tell me when it would be,” said Cllr Ntuli.

Cllr Ntuli told the Vryheid Herald that the community claimed to have submitted a letter with their grievances to the speaker but had not been happy with his response.

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“They told me that the responses had been vague and they were not happy. I am surprised to find out that they are protesting today,” said Cllr Ntuli who said that he was making his way into town to try and get hold of the mayor at the municipal buildings to see how they can calm the situation.

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Police are currently on the scene.
More updates to follow as the story unfolds.