N12 highway near Oudtshoorn closed due to protests

The N12 highway between Oudtshoorn and Dysselsdorp was closed on Tuesday 19 November 2019, due to 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. 

“The unrest is related to housing issues,” he confirmed on Twitter.  

Protests the day before 

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. 

“It appears as if common ground had been reached between the two parties but things changed again this morning,” said Hobasi. 

Highway a protest scene since August 2019 

Hobasi concluded by saying that the protests are nothing new on the N12 highway, as it had already begun in August, earlier this year. 

“The N12 highway, which is currently being upgraded, has been the scene of protests since August when residents of nearby Rosevalley, demanded jobs in the roads construction. Recently, workers on site have also downed their tools in a labour dispute. 

One user tweeted in response to Hobasi saying: “The only thing they know best to do is burning stuff and violence, when it comes to work that’s very difficult. They even close from working when going for lunch, that’s all.”

Another user said: “Copycat strikes like Boland.” 

Rosevalley residents demand jobs in construction of N12 highway 

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.