UPDATE: No treatment for cancer patients due to violent Natal Spa protests
"These violent protests do not give a good impression of South Africa as a tourist destination."
Cancer patients in Vryheid could not receive their treatment today as oncologist, Professor Johann Jordaan, was unable to commute to the clinic from Koubad Farm due to protest action in the area.
Due to the critical need for the life-saving treatment to be administered as soon as possible, arrangements are being made with the Klipkerk for the oncology clinic to be held tomorrow.
Koubad Farm and Natal Spa were stormed by an angry mob, wielding pangas and knobkierries, this morning, following allegations of staff being mistreated and racism.
Protestors demanded that the managers of both holiday destinations be dismissed.
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Manager of Koubad Farm, Danie van Niekerk, confirmed that staff had been fired after being found guilty of theft, and says there was video footage of the theft taking place. He believes that this labour related matter turned violent as a result of provocation from politicians.
“During the protest, they tore down our entire game fence. We can’t use staff to repair it at the moment because they are scared of initimidation. We understand that, so we are using an outside contractor that is trying to help us fix the fence as quickly as possible,” said Mr Van Niekerk. “Fortunately, nobody was hurt on our side and we have hired a private security company to ensure the safety of our guests. However, a lot of the guests that were supposed to check in today and tomorrow have cancelled their reservations. It is a huge knock for our business and if things keep going this way, it won’t be feasible to keep running the lodge.”
Natal Spa and Koubad Farm are the biggest employers in the Paulpietersburg area, according to Mr Van Niekerk and, together, employ more than a hundred people.
“Most of our guests are foreign tourists and these violent protests do not give a good impression of South Africa as a tourist destination,” concluded Mr Van Niekerk.
Zululand SAPS communications officer, Captain Nkosie Gwala, said another 17 protesters had been arrested since this morning and that police had successfully dispersed the angry mob.
The Natal Spa Road has been re-opened for motorists.
