Protests unleash havoc on N3

Black clouds of smoke fill the air, as protesters set tyres and rubble alight. Holiday makers forced to search for alternate routes as the inferno closes off the N3 toll near the Mooi River toll plaza.

Allegedly complaining they were not being employed by local truck owners, protesters unleashed total chaos yesterday (April 2). Setting trucks on fire, looting from delivery trucks stuck in traffic, the scene resembled a horror movie set in an apocalyptic world.

While motorists were urged to use alternate routes and practice extreme caution, as protesters wreak havoc, the scene has raised an interesting question. What future lays ahead for South African, with protesters believing they have the right to destroy property and hurt others without any consideration for the crimes they are committing?

Newcastillians were asked what their thoughts were on the protests. This is what they had to say.

Ronald Majola

“You don’t need to resort to violence to get your message across to others. We need to form a peaceful society. If representatives from two countries who are at war can get together, why can’t we look for peaceful solutions for our issues?”

While emphasising the importance of finding amicable solutions, rather than violent protests, Majola believes a certain degree of the protest was politically driven.

“It can be political based in terms of service delivery, where people have issues and get together to resolve it. Then there are political parties who use these issues, getting people together and protests like this happen.”

Richard Joja

“Protesting allows you to air your voice. But, the moment you start looting and destroying property, it becomes a crime. The moment you endanger people’s lives and employment, it becomes a problem. There are better ways to protest.”

What are your thoughts on the protests? What do you think should be done to avoid further such protests from happening again in the future?