National shutdown in Mbombela and surrounds as it happens

Updates on the EFF National Shutdown protests are published as and when they are received from the Lowveld Security Joint Operation Command (JOC).

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 13:30

The protesters are on the move. They are leaving the Eskom building and are heading towards Transnet at the Nelspruit Station.

The police are still in attendance.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 12:35

The protesters have now reached the Eskom building in Brown Street. The police are still in attendance.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 12:10

The march is proceeding up Ferreira Street towards the CBD. The SAPS is in attendance.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 11:45

The protesters are now taking a lunch break. They will gather again at 12:30 to continue with the march. It is believed they will proceed to the Eskom building in Brown Street.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 11:15

Protesters are now on the R40 at the bus stop near Crossing Centre. The SAPS and Lowveld Security JOC are still following behind them.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 11:00

The protesters are moving along the Old Pretoria Road, with the SAPS and Lowveld Security JOC following behind them.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 10:30

Some protesters are moving along Samora Machel Drive with the SAPS following behind them.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 10:00

The situation in Mbombela and surrounds remains mostly clear. Disruptions in Mataffin have escalated. The SAPS are on the scene.
All bus services are operating normally.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 09:00

The situation in Mbombela and surrounds remains mostly clear. Disruptions in Mataffin have been tended to by the SAPS, and all roads are open.

The Hermansburg Road entrance near the Kaapsehoop Road is open.

Bus services have been temporarily suspended in Makoko (near KaBokweni). Bus services have been interrupted in KaBokweni.

Lowveld Security JOC update @ 08:00

The situation in Mbombela and surrounds is mostly clear. Some disruptions in Mataffin are being tended to by the SAPS.
The Hermansburg road entrance off the Kaapsehoop road is open, but users should approach with caution due to the presence of a small group of protesters.
Bus services are temporarily suspended in Makoko. KaBokweni’s bus services are suspended.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 07:00

The N4 remains open at Halls, but the road heading into Mataffin has been closed.
All other roads remain open in Mbombela. There is a large contingency of SAPS members on the ground. The Tiger Wheel & Tyre intersection on R40 is just about cleared. A small group remains on the roadside.

Buses started operating in the Nkomazi area again. This was suspended before daylight as a result of a bus that was hijacked.
Bus services have also resumed in Pienaar and Lekazi.
Bus services have been temporarily suspended in Makoko and KaBokweni.

There are sporadic reports of small incidents of tyres burning and rocks on the road in Barberton, Plaston, Mataffin, Clau Clau and KaNyamazane.

The Tonga road is open.
The KaMhlushwa road is open.

There are still no incidents reported in Hazyview.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 06:00

All roads remain open in Mbombela. There is a large contingency of SAPS members on the ground. The Tiger Wheel & Tyre intersection on R40 is just about cleared. A small group remains on the roadside.

Buses will start operating in the Nkomazi area again. This was suspended before daylight as a result of a bus that was hijacked.
Bus services have been temporarily suspended in Pienaar and Lekazi due to road blockages.

There are sporadic reports of small incidents of tyres burning and rocks on the road in Barberton, Plaston, Mataffin, Clau Clau and KaNyamazane.

The Tonga road is open.
The Kamhlushwa road is closed.

There are still no incidents reported in Hazyview.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 05:00
All roads remain open in Mbombela. The is a large contingency of SAPS members on the ground. A few protesters remain at Tiger Wheel & Tyre, but the R40 is open.

Bus operations remain suspended in the Nkomazi area until daylight as a result of the hihacking of a bus.

There are sporadic reports of small incidents of tyres burning and rocks on the road in Barberton, Plaston, Mataffin and Clau Clau.

The Tonga road remains closed.

No incidents have been reported in Hazyview.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 04:00

A Buscor bus was highjacked in the Nkomazi area. The bus driver was assaulted and taken to hospital. Nkomazi buses have been suspended until daylight.

In the Onderberg area, the R571 at Masibekela is still closed as well as the Tonga road, R581.

There are sporadic reports of small incidents of tyres burning and rocks on roads in Barberton and Clau Clau.

There is still a small group of protesters between Tiger Wheel & Tyre and the Crossing Centre robot. Two protesters were detained by the SAPS. There is a heavy SAPS presence in various areas across the Lowveld.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 03:00

No obstructions on any roads in Mbombela reported.
There is still a small group of protesters between Tiger Wheel & Tyre and the Crossing Centre robot. The police are still in attendance.

There are sporadic reports of small incidents of tyres burning and rocks on roads in various areas, but all roads are still passable.
In the Onderberg area, the R571 at Masibekela is closed as well as the Tonga road, the R581.

• Lowveld Security JOC update @ 02:00

All roads in and around Mbombela are still clear at this stage.
Protesters are gathered on the R40 near Crossing Centre, but the SAPS is on site and the road remains open.
No incidents have been reported in nearby towns.

> Video: Lowveld Security JOC

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