Local and international tourists entering or leaving Kruger National Park have been urged to use alternative routes because of the protest action over fuel price hikes that have shut many roads near Mbombela (Nelspruit).
The Kruger National Park said in a statement on Wednesday tourists should use the Orpen, Phabeni, Malelane, Crocodile Bridge and Kruger gates to access the park, depending which side of the park they were booked.
While thousands of South Africans were still discussing the national shutdown on Twitter, angry commuters and taxi drivers brought Mpumalanga’s capital city to a halt, on Wednesday over the high fuel prices.
The #NelspruitShutdown started all the way from White River all the way to Ngodwana area on the N4, and back-circling towards the N4 near Malelane, near the Mozambican border.
Workers who were travelling to different townships and suburbs were left stranded on the road without any hope of accessing the inner city, where they make a living.
Taxi operators are up in arms and in support of the protest over the fuel price hike. Sibusiso Mbazima, who is a taxi driver said they will be forced to increase taxi fares, which will seem unfair as they’ve recently increased the prices.
“If we do not voice our frustrations, taking a taxi from Matsulu to town will cost up to R50, which is unrealistic for the average consumer who is living form hand to mouth,” said Mbazima.
When asked about who was leading the protest action, taxi association Top Star said it did not know and was not informed about the protest action. Top Star’s John Mavundla said: “Taxi drivers did not consult with us. They went above our heads, and this means today we will not be making any money.”
Department of community safely spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said MEC Vusi Shongwe “Is calling on all protesters to demonstrate within the ambits of the law. They do not have to infringe upon the rights of others; hence he condemns the closure of the roads coming in and out of Mbombela in the strongest terms.”
Source: The South African, News24, SABC News, IOL, Business Day, image from Twitter