Motorists beware: Major Pretoria routes affected by demonstrations on Monday, police to monitor situations
The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) says they have become aware of threats made by unknown people to barricade and burn tyres, use petrol bombs, stones, and bricks, damage electricity connections of residents in the Hercules area, attack businesses, and the Hercules Police Station.
The west and central business parts of Pretoria including some major routes connecting to Tshwane might be riddled with planned violent protest action on Monday, May 20.
On social media platforms, a message addressed to the Road Freight Association members has been circulating informing the trucking industry, about an African Truck Drivers Federation South Africa (ATDF-SA) shutdown on Monday.
Meanwhile the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) says they have become aware of threats made by unknown people to barricade and burn tyres, use petrol bombs, stones, and bricks, damage electricity connections of residents in the Hercules area, attack businesses, and attack the Hercules Police Station.
According to the MMC for Community Safety, Grandi Theunissen, various threats have been made by ‘protesters’ to make barricades and burn tyres.
“Protesters have made threats to use petrol bombs, stones, bricks, and damage electricity connections of residents in the Hercules area and also attack businesses and the Hercules Police Station,” said Theunissen.
Thenunissen encouraged residents to be cautious in the following areas:
* The area of Booysens to the North of van der Hoof Road towards Witwatersberg Mountain.
• Bremer Street
• Attie Street
• Hjalmer Street
• Theo Slabbert Street
• Richards Bay Road
• Daspoort tunnel
• Van der Hoff Road
Thenunissen said areas that might be affected include the Fortsig Tshwane Electrical Depot Gardens.
Tshwane reaffirmed its commitment to upholding law and order during unlawful protests.
“We will not tolerate any criminal behaviour and TMPD will take strong action against offenders,” said Thenunissen.
The ATDF-SA has also planned a national shutdown, specifically targeting majour routes and highways.
According to the CEO of Road Freight Association Gavin Kelly, these protests will occur due to unemployed individuals through ATDF-SA who are unhappy with the response they received from the Department of Employment and Labour.
“Unfortunately, the grievances raised by the ATDF-SA require action by the relevant government authorities, whose mandate is to have prevented such a situation from ever happening,” said Kelly.
The planned protest will target the following routes according to the social media post:
-The R21
• The R25
• The R562
-The M57
• The M18 and surrounding informal areas.
Gauteng police senior communications officer Mavela Masondo said the police were aware of the planned shutdown.
“Police in Gauteng are aware of the national shutdown and have put measures in place to ensure the non-striking truck drivers and the entire community are safe and protected during the shutdown,” said Masondo.
Despite the police confirming the planned shutdown, the TMPD and the Gauteng Traffic Department said they are not aware of any authorised planned protests.
The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) also advised motorists to travel carefully on several routes on Monday, May 20, due to a commemoration picket by the Friends of Victims of Church Street Bombing.
The picket commemorates the 1983 victims who were killed by a bomb on Church Street.
According to TMPD spokesperson Senior Superintended Issac Mahamba, seven routes around Pretoria Central would remain closed off during this commemoration.
Mahamba has advised motorists to use alternative routes.
“Take note that there will be a picket at WF Nkomo Street between Sophie de Bruyn Street and Bosman Street on Monday, 20 May 2024 by the Friends of Victims of Church Street Bombing,” said the TMPD in a statement.
The following streets will be closed from 09:30 to 10:00:
-WF Nkomo Street
-Sophie de Bryun Street
-Bosman Street
Motorists are advised to use the following alternative routes:
-Kgosi Mampuru Street
-Francis Baard Street
-Madiba Street
-Struben Street
-Paul Kruger Street
TMPD and South African Police Service officers will be deployed to monitor the motorcade, awareness parade, and all the affected streets.
ALSO READ: Law enforcement to monitor planned Monday protests impacting major routes
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