The west of Pretoria and some major routes connecting to Tshwane might be riddled with planned violent protest action on Monday, May 20.
On social media platforms, a message addressed to the Road Freight Association members has been circulating informing the trucking industry, about an African Truck Drivers Federation South Africa (ATDF-SA) shutdown on Monday.
Meanwhile the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) says they have become aware of threats made by unknown people to barricade and burn tyres, use petrol bombs, stones, and bricks, damage electricity connections of residents in the Hercules area, attack businesses, and attack the Hercules Police Station.
According to the MMC for Community Safety, Grandi Theunissen, various threats have been made by ‘protesters’ to make barricades and burn tyres.
“Protesters have made threats to use petrol bombs, stones, bricks, and damage electricity connections of residents in the Hercules area and also attack businesses and the Hercules Police Station,” said Theunissen.
Thenunissen encouraged residents to be cautious in the following areas:
• The area of Booysens to the North of van der Hoof Road towards Witwatersberg Mountain.
• Bremer Street
• Attie Street
• Hjalmer Street
• Theo Slabbert Street
• Richards Bay Road
• Daspoort tunnel
• Van der Hoff Road
Thenunissen said areas that might be affected include the Fortsig Tshwane Electrical Depot Gardens.
Tshwane reaffirmed its commitment to upholding law and order during unlawful protests.
“We will not tolerate any criminal behaviour and TMPD will take strong action against offenders,” said Thenunissen.
The ATDF-SA has also planned a national shutdown, specifically targeting majour routes and highways.
According to the CEO of Road Freight Association Gavin Kelly, these protests will occur due to unemployed individuals through ATDF-SA who are unhappy with the response they received from the Department of Employment and Labour.
“Unfortunately, the grievances raised by the ATDF-SA require action by the relevant government authorities, whose mandate is to have prevented such a situation from ever happening,” said Kelly.
The planned protest will target the following routes according to the social media post:
• The R21
• The R25
• The R562
• The M57
• The M18 and surrounding informal areas.
Gauteng police senior communications officer Mavela Masondo said the police were aware of the planned shutdown.
“Police in Gauteng are aware of the national shutdown and have put measures in place to ensure the non-striking truck drivers and the entire community are safe and protected during the shutdown,” said Masondo.
Despite the police confirming the planned shutdown, the TMPD and the Gauteng Traffic Department said they are not aware of any authorised planned protests.
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