HOEDSPRUIT: R40 is burning – shops looted, vehicles hijacked and several buildings set alight
Sporadic blockades were set up on the main road from Tuesday. This morning it spread and criminal elements seem to have hijacked the protests.
Avoid the R40 via Dwarsloop to Bushbuckridge at all cost!
This was the message from the SAPS, numerous civic organizations and other role players after protesters and criminals set the Dwarsloop Civic Centre alight, burnt several vehicles and blocked the R40.
A reliable source told the HERALD that protests are expected to continue at least until Friday.
Sporadic blockades were set up on the main road from Tuesday.
On Wednesday it spread and criminal elements seem to have hijacked the protests.
Shops were looted, vehicles hijacked and several buildings set alight. Community members in the area expressed their disappointment with the police who seem unable to control the chaotic situation.
“There is a big police presence on the outskirts, but nothing where the actual protests are.
Read: HOEDSPRUIT: Family homes vandalised and torched in Acornhoek
They are either unwilling or incapable of controlling the protesters and the criminals,” Alfred Mathebula, a local business man told the HERALD.
Mathebula runs a small business transporting goods from Acornhoek via Bushbuckridge to Nelspruit.
“We have protests virtually every month now and my business just cannot survive. Five people will lose their jobs and up to 40 people will be without a breadwinner,” Mathebula told the HERALD.
Another business man from Acornhoek, who asked to remain anonymous, told the HERALD that criminal elements take control of the protests and abuse the situation for their own agenda.
“My business is on the verge of closing down because of all the riots. They don’t care. Neither does the government. What really irritates me is that the majority of these idiots will again vote for the ANC on May 8th. Innocent people suffer and are inconvenienced due to these actions. Why can’t the police stop them?”, an irate resident said.
A large area was blocked off by the police after a number of trucks were torched.
Unconfirmed reports allege that drivers and loading staff were assaulted and several small businesses were looted and robbed.
Despite several enquiries, SAPS could not confirm any arrests or an action plan to curb the protests, or at least the violence.
Letaba Herald will keep you updated.
