Families gather to protest the use of Fields Hill by heavies
Families gather to protest against heavies on Fields Hill.
FAMILIES gathered at Pinecrest Shopping Centre on Saturday to join in the peaceful protest march organised by DA Ward Councillors Rick Crouch (Ward 10) and Tim Brauteseth (Ward 18) to protest against the use of Fields Hill by heavy vehicles.
The crowd was addressed by Cllr Brauteseth who reminded them that it was a peaceful protest and that the MEC had promised to think about removing the trucks from Fields Hill. Gordon Gillespie, from the Safe Passing Organisation also spoke. He advocated that the community stand together and organise a day where they escort any trucks off of Fields Hill. “The police are not going to do anything.We need to take a stand and have a face to face confrontation with the truck drivers,” he said.
Holding placards and wearing t-shirts calling for the ban of heavies on Fields Hill the group then proceeded to walk from the Centre to the site of the accident scene at the bottom of Fields Hill on the Richmond Road exit.
A prayer service lead by Minister Juan Smith from the Kloof Methodist Church was then for the 22 people who lost their lives. Rescue services also put up white crosses at the accident site to show their support for this march.
According to Cllr Rick Crouch, the protest and prayer vigil went very well, with at least between 500-600 people in attendance.
“It was a very orderly and calm protest with people from all walks of live present, I was told there were even about 5 ANC T-Shirt wearing protesters in the crowd. I want to thank everyone who took time out on Saturday morning to attend and send our condolences to these who lost family and friends in the accident,” said Cllr Crouch.
He continued, “The fact that the driver, Sanele May, has been charged with murder is ridiculous and a classic knee jerk reaction. Sanele May did not get up on Thursday morning and say ‘I am going to go out and kill people with my truck today’, there was no premeditation.”
“We are going to do everything we can to ensure that heavy trucks are banned from using Fields Hill except for local deliveries with a permit. We are also fighting for a review of the current legislation that allows a 23 year old to drive such a vehicle with no prior experience.”
