Limpopo made headlines several times this year with various protest actions synonymous with the looting of businesses, blocking of roads and setting alight of vehicles especially in the Vuwani and Malamulele areas.
For the past ten days angry community members from The Oaks have protested along the R36 between Hoedspruit and Tzaneen allegedly demanding that the boundaries which separate their village from The Willows be changed as they wanted the section allocated for a new mall to be constructed in their area.
On Monday Police reported that the road was still blocked and a fuel tanker of which the tyres had been slashed by protesters was used as barricade. Protestors also dug trenches across the road.
On Tuesday Provincial Police Spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba said that the situation was still out of control. “The truck was removed but two trenches have now been dug across the road and stones were still scattered across the road. Police remain on the scene to monitor the situation. Motorists are advised to alternatively use the R531 Gravelotte road,” Ledwaba said.
In the meanwhile Ledwaba said protest action at Maphutha Malatji Hospital at Namakgale is under control. “It is alleged that the community and some employees of the hospital are unhappy about the suspension of two staff members. They demand their return to work. According to reports protestors allegedly chased out all working staff and nurses from the wards on Tuesday,” Ledwaba said.
No arrests were made in either cases and the situation is being monitored closely, according to Ledwaba.
Story: RC Myburgh
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Featured photo: Community members and staff of the Maphutha Malatji Hospital gather at the gate.
