Pampierstad police have urged all drivers to use alternative roads due to road closures amidst service delivery protests.

Residents took to the streets on Monday (16/9) and protested on Piet Strydom Road entering the town on Tuesday afternoon.

They’re frustrated over a R15 million project to install stormwater drainage, as well as the upgrading of roads and the erection of speed bumps and traffic control markings, in Pampierstad, 12 km west of Hartswater.

“The service delivery protest is ongoing in Pampierstad and taxis have blocked the road,” said Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergio Kock. “No serious incidents have been reported, and Pampierstad SAPS and Kimberley Public Order Policing are monitoring the situation.”

During the R15 million project, storm water structures were meant to be designed and constructed to alleviate the storm water drainage challenges along Kolong Street, including excavation and stone pitching of open drains.

The project, which has now stopped, was scheduled for completion in December next year. The planned upgrading of the 1.2 km gravel street to a paved surface also included kerbing and storm water intakes, road signs, traffic control markings, traffic calming structures, for example, speed humps, and road construction and commissioning.

Pampierstad and Kimberley police monitor the situation. Photo supplied

DFA reports local and long-distance taxi operators blocked the road on Monday from around 05:00. 

“We urge all drivers to use roads that are not blocked and we are continuously monitoring the situation and will provide more updates,” said Kock.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg