The N12 highway between Oudtshoorn and Dysselsdorp was closed today because of protest action over housing and labour disputes.
According to Sphiwe Hobasi from George, backyard dwellers barricaded the N12 highway with anything they could find, such as pieces of wood, tree branches and tyres.
Hobasi said that residents embarked on a similar protest the day before and then later withdrew, after they were addressed by the Oudtshoorn Mayor, Colan Sylvester.
The N12 Highway between Oudtshoorn and Dysselsdorp has been closed due to protest action. Backyard dwellers have barricaded the road with pieces of wood, tree branches and tyres. The unrest is related to housing issues.
📸 File#sabcnews pic.twitter.com/j4BrqLWWuC
— Sphiwe Hobasi (@MrCow_man) November 19, 2019
The only thing they know best to do is burning stuffs and violence , when it comes to work that’s very difficult they even close from working when going for lunch that’s all
— FreshlyG (@g_freshly) November 19, 2019
Hobasi said it appeared as if common ground had been reached between the two parties but things changed again this morning.
Hobasi concluded by saying that the protests are nothing new on the N12 highway, as it had already begun earlier this year in August.
Residents of Rosevalley were protesting to land jobs in the construction of the N12 highway in August 2019.
Mayor of Oudtshoorn, Colan Sylvester made his way to the scene and opened a dialogue with the protestors where it was revealed they were demanding to be given jobs in the upgrade of the N12 road.
A meeting between community leaders, politicians, and the construction company charged with upgrading the N12 highway, was set and protestors left the scene.
This protest comes after the N1 in De Doorns had to be closed earlier this month due to groups of looters who were stoning cars and stealing goods from abandoned freight trucks.
More: The South African