Middelburg protests: Residents block roads near Mhluzi township [video]

Middelburg is on fire as Mhluzi residents demand for the resignation of municipal manager Advocate Bheki Khenisa.

By / / Viral / 3 minutes of reading
middelburg protests

Protests have broken out in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, and on Thursday a number of key routes were blocked off from traffic with burning rubble and tyres.

Middelburg protests: What are residents demanding?

According to reports, the unrest has been concentrated in and around Mhluzi township. While no official statement has been released by parties behind the disruptive demonstrations, the protests have been linked with issues related to service delivery.

Moreover, the Middelburg Observer claims that forces behind the unrest have vowed to keep protesting until municipal manager Advocate Bheki Khenisa submits his resignation.

Based on videos and images that have surfaced on social media, law enforcement officials have a maintained a heavy presence in the township.

However, at this time, police are yet to provide updates on efforts made to clear key routes that have been closed off since earlier this week.

Middelburg road closures and updates for Thursday 19 August 2021

These are the latest updates on the situation in the Middelburg township:

Middelburg businesses remain closed due to unrest

As the situation continues to intensify in Middelburg, reports have surfaced claiming that businesses in the town’s district have been forced to close down.

According to the Middelburg Observer, workers from Extension 24, Hlalamnandi, Rondebosch, Nasaret and Rockdale have opted to stay indoors after a circular went around warning residents to not leave their properties.

Bus, truck set alight

Thus far, police in Middelburg have confirmed that a bus and a truck were set alight in the wee hours of Thursday morning. These incidents, it’s believed, are linked to the ongoing unrest and at this time, no persons have been arrested.

No garbage removal services in Mhluzi and surround

Due to ongoing unrest in Mhluzi and surrounding townships, waste removal services have been halted by the municipality, out of fear that workers may be targeted by protesters who, since the violence broke out earlier this week, have torched vehicles and damaged public property.

Roads to avoid

Motorists and commuters have been warned to, at all cost, avoid roads going in and out of Mhluzi, Extension 24, Hlalamnandi, Rondebosch, Nasaret and Rockdale.

Here are the latest updates on road closures in Middelburg on Thursday 19 August 2021:

  • Both the N4 and the N11 routes are closed in the central Middelburg area
  • N4 highway route closed off again after it was cleared on Thursday morning
  • N11 highway towards Middelburg East and Hendrina closed

This is a developing story.