Is the end of Kriel strike in sight?
All roads leading in and out of Kriel were closed off by people striking.
Thursday – 14:54
Another burning issue was the electricity of Kriel that has been off since Sunday and has been restored this afternoon.
Mr Gerrie Rothmann from the GaNala Municipality said it is quiet in town today after rioters have run amok for the last few days.
Wednesday – 14:00
Warrant officer Emmarancia Kgosana confirmed that a traffic vehicle belonging to the municipality was petrol bombed by the strikers.
She says their protests are getting more violent and that police had to use rubber bullets once again.
She did however confirm that neither the police nor the strikers are using life ammunition.
“Eight people have been arrested concerning this case so far. The strikers are throwing stones and objects at the police and have damaged a police vehicle with their actions,” she said.
(More photos have been added to the photo gallery)
Wednesday – 11:16
Residents are still subjected to the strike that began on Monday, 8 September.
Unemployed people are striking because the mines and power stations apparently only appoint outsiders.
“The municipality is closed and people who want to come from Thubelisha to Kriel are being assaulted,” said Mr Gerry Rothman, unit manager.
Residents therefore remain in their homes and those who need to go to work, are using a gravel road to enter or exit Kriel.
The protest continues and police from Kriel, Emalahleni (Witbank) and Secunda are on 24 hour duty.
Monday – 09:34
All roads leading in and out of Kriel, including gravel roads, have been closed off by strikers
It is still uncertain who the groups are that are doing this.
Reports of cars being pummelled with rocks have been logged.
Some of our social media readers also said cars are being burned and roads are blocked with burning tyres.
Reports also mention taxi associations being part of the strike, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Anyone with more information, can contact the newspaper at 082-855-7370.
Please send all photos and videos to the number.
Thank you to Tanya Toerien for the photos.
Monday – 14:10
According to Lieutenant Phina Seloane, spokesman of Kriel Police Station, the situation is very tense.
Police are apparently firing rubber bullets at the crowd.
She says it is the youth of Thubelisha Township and Kriel who are striking.
“The strikers are saying that the local mines are not hiring locals,” Lt Seloane said.
According to her no one has been hurt and no vehicles have been burned.
She does however urge the public to stay away from the scene.
