[WATCH] Farmers, business community blocking Free State roads
Farmers, taxi owners and the business community blocked all access roads to Ficksburg in the Free State with their tractors on Wednesday.
They are protesting against the bad condition of roads surrounding their town.
Local farmer and member of the Ficksburg Agricultural Association, Friedl von Maltitz, says the condition of the road has led to people losing their lives.
In a memorandum sent to Premier Sisi Ntombela, the community says Ficksburg has a large farming community and the condition of the roads is going to make it impossible for farmers to transport their products out of town.
Taxi owners and motorists are also endangering their lives having to drive these roads on a daily basis.
Von Maltitz says when the community previously complained about the roads, Ntombela promised to attend to the situation.
But no response has been forthcoming.
A decision was then taken to start protesting, says Von Maltitz.
“We started early this morning to block access roads and we are awaiting a response,”
Ntombela’s spokesperson Sello Pietersen confirmed that she will respond in detail.
“The premier expressed concern about the situation and is going to look into the concerns of the residents, plus other challenges facing the community as a matter of urgency.”
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