Transporters working in the Northern Cape have been advised to be aware of intended civil action planned by the Kuruman Protest Forum (KPF) for the early hours of tomorrow morning.
According to information sent to the Transit Assistance Bureau (Transist), the KPF is planning to block all roads in the John Taolo Gaetsewe region – incorporating the mining nerve centres of Kathu, Kuruman, and Hotazel.
The Transist member who sent the information to the bureau added that the protesters would target all trucks transporting minerals and equipment and intended to force trucks to offload their cargo on the roads.
Thus far the N14 highway through to Upington, and the R31 connecting Kimberley with Kuruman and Hotazel, are expected to be worst affected.
From the expected concentration of protest action on certain roads and the relationship these arteries have with heavy industries dependent on truck traffic, it seems clear that road hauliers will be targeted during the planned protests.
Community members from Barkly-West, Olifantshoek, as well as Tsatsabane and Gamagara outside Postmasburg and Lohatla, have apparently indicated that they will participate in the protest action.
The Northern Cape Unemployed Working Organization has also said it will participate.
According to Transist’s source, the intended protests stem from the accusation by local leaders that CEOs running mines in the area are not involving neighbouring communities in mining activities.
Protesters said they would serve CEOs with a list of their demands as part of their civil disobedience.
