UPDATED: Illegal protest causes heavy traffic in Sandton
SANDTON - Protesting workers are causing heavy traffic delays in Sandton.
Update: 18 May 8.00am
Mothapo has confirmed that 23 demonstrators were taken to the police station and issued with fines for obstructing traffic.
Update: 17 May 8.00pm
Mothapo said, “Rubber bullets were fired to disperse the demonstrating crowd and they dispersed.The police are currently assisting to move the vehicles into the premises and no arrests were made.”
Update: 17 May 7.00pm
Edna Mamonyane, spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department said, “Metro police together with South African Police are busy removing the vehicles that are blocking the road. Huawei is attempting to help by providing spare keys to the vehicles.”
Original Story: 17 May 10.30am
According to reports, an illegal protest taking place in Sandton on Grayston Drive is causing heavy traffic delays in the area.
It is believed that Huawei workers are protesting on Grayston Drive near Linden Street.
Constable David Mothapo, spokesperson for the Sandton Police Station, has confirmed that 200 Huawei drivers are blocking the Grayston offramp. “The reason for the gathering is that Huawei have dismissed 50 drivers and requested that the vehicles to be taken to Andries and Old Pretoria Main, Europe Centre.”
“The dismissed drivers had mobilised other drivers and are now trying to gain access to the offices of Huawei in Peter Street,” said Mothapo.
Mothapo added that Metro police are on scene and are blocking the entrance to Peter Street.
“The owner of Huawei obtained a court order on 31 March to restrain dismissed employees to enter the premises as it is an office block and it will disrupt other businesses. Drivers insist on entering the premises,” said Mothapo.
View some of the reactions on twitter below:
Wow Grayston drive 😷😷😷
— Tebogo (@msclauds_) May 17, 2017
Grayston Drive & Linden Road is temporarily closed due to an illegal protest gathering. @JMPDSafety onsite to manage the illegal protest.
— Sandton Central (@SandtonCentral) May 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/yfmtraffic/status/864756635113279488
Huawei drivers are on strike again. Avoid Grayston Drive towards Linden road, coming from the M1 and Sandton @TrafficSA @EWNTraffic
— odirile 🇿🇦 (@odirileram) May 17, 2017
Click here to read: EFF protests in Sandton with Huawei workers
