Protestors block off Klarinet

Protestors blocked off the road leading to the Klarinet industrial area and Pine Ridge in the early hours of the morning as they demanded better service delivery.

Protestors lined up in front of the fires that blocked off the road on May 25.

Mostly residents form Old Coronation gathered at about 04:30 on May 25 and built a wall of fire with logs and barbed wire over the railroad tracks and protestors allegedly chopped down a tree and dragged it across the road leading towards the Klarinet industrial area. Hundreds of protestors formed a human wall in front of the barricade.

Traffic started to become congested as people made their way to work only to be turned away by traffic officers. However an impatient armoured vehicle driver showed complete disregard for the situation and drove straight through and passed the police as they tried to stop the vehicle and through the angry crowd who threw stones at the vehicle.

Mr Ben Bierman the chief financial officer from the municipality was in tense negotiations with the unruly crowed as he heard all of their complaints and requests however the protestors would not disperse peacefully and demanded meeting with the mayor. Brig Sifusiso Cele station commander of the Witbank SAPS issued a final warning to the protestors before residing to force.

At about 9:30 in the morning after several hours the Witbank SAPS swiftly dispersed the illegal gatherers with non-lethal force. The eMalahleni Fire Department was on the scene to put out the burning logs and willing members of the public assisted in clearing the barbed wire from the road.

Police driving protestors away with non-lethal force.

Mr Ben Bierman (chief financial officer) was on scene to negotiate with the protestors.

Although the protestors from Old Coronation regrouped further down the road towards the Klarinet industrial area, the road towards Pine Ridge was slowly accepting traffic. The crowd eventually did disperse after briefly meeting with the major at about 14:00. However the day was not without incident.

Captain Eddie Hall from the Witbank SAPS said the six people were arrested after they tried to break into a local tuck shop in Old Coronation called the Green Container. “It seems that some criminals tried to take advantage of the disorder. However police were close by as we had a presence in the area to make sure everyone returned home safely,” said Capt Hall.

Lebo Mofokeng the municipal spokesperson has acknowledged the WITBANK NEWS request for comment and will issue a statement on the event once it is ready. Apparently municipal officials met with the community of Old Coronation the next day to try and address these issues.

They appeared in the eMalahleni Magistrates Court for theft on May 26.

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