LIMPOPO – Tension soared in Niani on Friday as a large-scale protest aimed at closing off the N1 led to clashes between demonstrators and police, resulting in injuries and widespread disruption.
Residents of Niani, fed-up with escalating car hijackings and other crimes, took drastic measures to draw attention to their grievances.
They began by barricading key roads with stones and debris early on Friday morning, setting some of these obstacles alight to hinder traffic.
The blockade left thousands of commuters stranded and forced many workers to miss their shifts, while some local schools had to close, leaving learners without transportation.
The protest reached its peak at the N1 near the Baobab toll gate, where the situation remained tense throughout the day.
Police shot rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, leading to several injuries among the protesters.
The unrest also impacted nearby roads, further exacerbating the transportation crisis.
This surge in public unrest follows a persistent rise in crime, particularly vehicle theft and hijackings, with many stolen cars reportedly being smuggled into neighbouring Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge border post.
Despite earlier meetings with Safety and Security MEC Violet Mathye, who had promised action, the community’s frustration boiled over, leading them to take matters into their own hands.
Local Business Forum Against Crime chairperson, Philemon Munyai expressed dissatisfaction with the police’s response, criticising the decision to use helicopters rather than a more substantial ground presence.
Munyai highlighted that the focus has shifted from other provinces to Niani, with criminals exploiting local routes.
The community’s memorandum was received by deputy provincial police commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers, who assured residents that additional police forces would be deployed around the clock to combat rising crime in the area.
Locals, however, remain concerned about the effectiveness of these measures.
