Brits under siege again after taxi protests block roads
Protesters invaded Brits early on Thursday morning, blockading roads and preventing residents and motorists from entering or exiting the town.
The scene in Brits earlier on Thursday morning. Image: Kormorant
The Public Order Police and Police Airwing are on the scene and are trying to contain the situation, after protest action broke out in Brits once again on Thursday morning, reports Kormorant.
This follows a siege two weeks ago, when taxi drivers held Brits hostage for most of the day in protest against the arrest of seven of taxi operators for damaging Nigerian shops and attacking Nigerian immigrants because of their alleged drug dealing.
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The taxi drivers are appearing in the Brits Magistrates’ court again today.
Currently, most of the access roads to Brits have been closed off.
The R511 at the Alpha crossing was closed by traffic police after taxis blockaded the intersection at the Brits Mall. Other roads that are currently closed are the silos road, Wagpos road and possibly the Sonop road.
BRITS
PROTEST ACTION in Brits – ROAD BLOCKED. AVOID if possible.#JacaTraffic
— Jacaranda FM Traffic (@jaca_traffic) April 18, 2019
#sapsNW #ProtestAction Brits CBD, related to yesterday's protest. 3 suspects were charged with assault yesterday and will be appearing in Court today. About 500 people are protesting at the Brits Court entrance. #SAPS POP Unit members deployed. #PoliceVisibility ME
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 18, 2019
Updates to follow as more information is made available.
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