Motorist travelling on the highway were stoned at about 06:00 on Wednesday, August 27. A bus was burned on the highway as well.
On that day it was not clear as to why they were protesting.
Two weeks ago they were protesting about water and electricity and they were later addressed by city administrator Mr Theo van Vuuren. A truck was burned during the protest.
In his update Van Vuuren said members of the Empumulelweni community closed the N4 at two places and later burned a bus, which got stuck after trying to make a U-turn. He said he was also stuck in the protest on that morning while on his way to Nelspruit.
“This is apparently the same group that also attempted to close the highway two weeks ago and at that stage burned a truck. A week before that they held a legal march and handed a petition to the municipality.
The municipality did respond to this memorandum by explaining the issues and process to be followed before that area, which contains close to 8 000 houses, can be electrified. One of the gripes apparently fuelling these constant protests is that the municipality is busy installing electricity in two sections with DEO money and the community insists that either all get electricity now or no one does.
“I condemn these actions in the strongest possible way. Such protests are illegal and participants can be criminally prosecuted especially when property is damaged and lives are endangered,” said Van Vuuren.
“There were some reports today that the protests of the day were by the group who protested for employment two weeks ago. I have confirmation that that group did not participate in any protest actions today and is committed towards a constructive process with the municipality and mines towards resolving the unemployment issues,” he commented.
