LIMPOPO -Motorists are warned to be vigilant when using the N11 in Mokopane due to protests in the area.
Although employees of the Mogalakwena Platinum mine returned to work on Wednesday following protests by residents of villages surrounding the mine, the protest action has since spilled over to the N11, where a truck transporting potatoes was set alight.
“The driver managed to escape without any injuries and opened a case at the Mahwelereng police station, “ said Mahwelereng police spokesperson, Const Sello Leso.
One of the protesters, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “the Mogalakwena Platinum mine will never know peace until they speak directly to the community. We as the community stand together and we do not want anyone to negotiate on our behalf”!
On Tuesday afternoon, 11 people, of which six were women, were arrested for public violence and they appeared before the Mokerong magistrate’s court in Mahwelereng on Wednesday.
The number of arrests went from 11 to 41 and they appeared before the Mokerong magistrate’s court on Thursday for public violence and malicious damage, Leso added.
Employees of Mogalakwena Platinum were unable to gain access to the mine on Monday due to protesters who blocked off all the entrances with rocks and burning tyres in their fight for their demands to be met.
The N11 road is now blocked.
