Community unrest in the Boipatong area has resulted in roads being barricaded with debris, Freight News has learned.
A message posted earlier this afternoon on the WhatsApp group of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta) said the “Golden Highway is closed from Orange Farm all the way to the Potchefstroom 4-way intersection” due to unrest.
It is alleged that the unrest is the result of ongoing dissatisfaction over electricity in the area.
A Fesarta official whose name has been withheld for security reasons said community members from a hostel in Boipatong had been without electricity for one month.
The risk of possible confrontation with people working for companies next to Boipatong is also said to be very high.
Transporters and commuters have been warned to avoid driving around the areas, particularly in marked vehicles.
Reports that the R59 close to Alberton has also been affected by unrest could not be verified after police said that “there are no issues”.
