R555 from Burgersfort to Steelport now open
The R555 road from Burgersfort to Steelport is now open following protest action in the area
LIMPOPO – According to Burgersfort police spokesperson, Const Victoria Maluleke, protest action started as a result of a failed meeting between the Greater Tubatse Municipality and communities.
“The angry residents vented their anger by blockading the R555 road during the night. A bakkie was burnt, and vehicles that were passing by were also damaged,” said Maluleke.
Greater Tubatse municipal spokesperson, Thabiso Mokoena, said residents approached the municipality for an application to march against the local mining company.
“They alleged that the mining company just extracted the mineral from their portion of land and were not creating jobs for the locals. They also alleged that those benefitting from the mines were those few who had connections with mine bosses,” he said.
“We requested that they send their convenor and deputy convenor yesterday (Wednesday), so that we can sit down with them, along with the SAPS and the leadership of the mining company before they could march. To our surprise, they hired four buses and forcing that those hundreds of people be part of the meeting. We requested them to give us their leadership, so that the meeting can start and they refused. We told them we can’t proceed with the meeting because of their refusal to send their leadership.
“The situation is under control, and we are still ready to sit down with them to find an amicable solution,” said Mokoena.
The police have opened a case of malicious damage to property and public violence.
“No arrests have been made and public order police are patrolling the area,” said Maluleke.
