More than 150 truck drivers to descend on Union Buildings
Hundreds of truck drivers are gathering at the old bus depot in Marabastad, Pretoria after they caused massive traffic disruptions on several highways in and around the capital this morning.
Truck drivers have blocked various mayor highways in the city, including the R21, N4, N12 and N1 as well as roads in the Pretoria CBD.
The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) says they are considering legal action against the organisers.
According to the TMPD's Isaac Mahamba, they were only aware of a planned motorcade between Marabastad and the Union Buildings to deliver a memorandum.
He says the organisers failed to inform them of the protest action on the highways.
Truck drivers, who transport coal for Eskom, say they are protesting the power utility's plans to use more renewable energy and less coal.
WATCH #TruckStrike
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 1, 2017
Spokeswoman Mary Phadi explains why they are striking today.
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Some of the truck drivers have been in Marabastad since 5.00am this morning, saying they will head to the Union Buildings later today.
Maryke Vermaak is there.
#TruckStrike The drivers are having breakfast and waiting for the rest of the trucks to arrive. They plan to go to the Union Buildings.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 1, 2017
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#TruckStrike These drivers say they arrived at around 5am.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 1, 2017
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WATCH #TruckStrike Scores of trucks parked at the old bus depot.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 1, 2017
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#TruckStrike Scores of trucks parked at the old bus depot. Many of them come from Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) March 1, 2017
MV pic.twitter.com/Z8WIl77xHG