UPDATE: Police disperse more protesters en route for Scottburgh during the night

UPDATE, June 28 at 10.45am:

At 10.30pm last night, around 200 protesters were reportedly marching towards Scottburgh.

Policemen were deployed.

“The protesters burned tyres on the south-bound carriageway of the N2 freeway as well as the grass island between the freeway and the Scottburgh off-ramp,” said Scottburgh Saps communications officer, Captain Vincent Pandarum, “Police extinguished the fire and cleared the road and the crowd was then dispersed.”

This morning, there was believed to be yet another group which gathered illegally in the Amandawe are, but they were also dispersed by police.

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UPDATE, June 27 at 1.30pm:

The lack of visible protesters nearing Scottburgh is due to the fact that protest permission has been withdrawn as marchers failed to abide by the rules.

Protesters were warned not to damage property or burn tyres, which is exactly what they ended up doing.

Reports indicate that vehicles were being stoned along the N2 northbound and tyres were also burnt to block roads.

Saps and officials have now confined protesters to the Amandawe area where they continue gathering in hopes of reaching out to the mayor to hand over their memorandum.

ORIGINAL STORY: 9am

Protesters from Amandawe and surrounding areas, together with the Anti-Deployment Association were granted permission for a march today.

According to Saps, it is believed that separate groups from KwaCele, Amahlongwa and neighboring areas are on their way to join Amandawe protesters.

They are expected to hand over another memorandum to the Umdoni mayor, Councillor Thabani Dube, at the entrance to Scottburgh by the riverside, which is the end point of their march.

This means that the protesters are prohibited from entering the Scottburgh central business district.

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“The organisers of the march indicated that they will be 4 000 strong and permission may fall away if there is any burning of tyres and damage to property,” said Umdoni Municipality Councillor, Shara Singh.

“Earlier this morning protesters blockaded the road and burnt tyres in the Amagcino area in Amandawe, but the road has since been cleared,” said Scottburgh Saps communications officer, Captain Vincent Pandarum, “A large group has gathered in the vicinity of Boxer Store near the T-junction, singing and toyi-toying.”

Once the memorandum is handed over, protesters are expected to leave by around 11am.

“Although there have been no incidents of violence or stonings so far, there is a very strong police presence in the area, and the public, especially motorists, is advised to steer clear of the area until the march is over and the protesters have dispersed,” advised Capt Pandarum.

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