Residents want jobs and electricity
The police reported that the roads were closed due to protest and unrest at Vosman near the KG Mall off ramp, exit and entrance at Ferrobank in KwaGuqa as early as 04:00 on Monday morning.
Motorists and workers from KwaGuqa were surprised when they were greeted by burning tyres and other barricades on the N4 Highway and other exit points at Vosman.
A truck panel used to block the road on the Ferrobank road in the early hours of Monday morning on January 16.
The police reported that the roads were closed due to protest and unrest at Vosman near the KG Mall off ramp, exit and entrance at Ferrobank in KwaGuqa as early as 04:00 on Monday morning.
All the exit points from the KwaGuqa Extension were closed with burning tyres and other barricades. While other motorists and workers tried other means to get to work, information was received that stones were thrown at passing motorists. Though it could not be established with certainty what the reason for the strike is, it is believed that it has to do with the planned cut offs of electricity by Eskom from Monday January 23, hiring at Khusile Power Station, employment at Highveld Steel and service delivery protest.
Burning tyres barricades the road at Ferrobank as protestors blocked the Moses Kotana road.
The police had a running battle with the protestors as they blocked and prevented motorists’ free movement to work and children going to school.
Burning tyres and stones used to block the road near the Santa Hospital on the exit and entrance on the Moses Kotana road in Ferrobank.
It took a while as cars and trucks were seen waiting along the road leading to Ferrobank as police tried to clear and open the road. It was also established that trucks were used as targets to block the roads.
The situation remained tense with protestors throwing stones at police vehicles and other vehicles.
Unconfirmed reports stated that the protest leaders had a meeting with the executive mayor on Tuesday, January 17 to try and find a way forward about the mentioned issues.
Stones thrown on the road near the KG Mall during a protest action on Monday morning January 16.
Traffic came to a standstill as police tried to clear and open the road on the entrance and exit near the KG Mall in Vosman.
Even last week, on Monday, January 6 motorists and workers were faced with the same situation with the road closed in both directions. With coal dumped on the road and burning tyres used as barricades.
Later the roads were cleared and opened for use.
No police report was available concerning the number of arrests made or vehicles that were burned.
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