Sabie residents and tourists trapped by protests

05 February 2016 - 03:05 By Shaun Smillie

Tourists and the residents of Sabie were prevented from leaving the town near Kruger Park yesterday when protesters barricaded all exit roads.Sabie police spokesman Constable Mandy Mculu said the protesters began barricading the roads early in the morning."They were protesting because electricity had been cut to an illegal settlement the day before," she explained. About 500 people were involved in the protest.Mculu said no one had been arrested or injured although the police had to use rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.By mid-morning the barricaded roads had been reopened.This is not the first time Sabie has experienced such protests.In September last year the SANParks Kruger Park Facebook page warned visitors to the park:"If you're on your way to the Kruger Park, don't try to go via Sabie. The town is under lockdown. We can't get out of town and nobody can come in."Cars are thrown with rocks (sic)," a post said.Mculu said there was a concern that protesters would regroup during the night and reblock roads. ..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.