The Swartruggens toll plaza on the N4 highway in the North West has been shut down by a Cosatu-led protest, the trade union federation said on Friday.
“The toll has been taken over and the traffic here on the N4 road is completely shut down,” Congress of SA Trade Unions provincial secretary Solly Phetoe said.
“We have been protesting since one o'clock and have the support of all the taxi associations.”
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Sam Tselenyane said he was not aware of any disruptions taking place during the protest.
“What I know is that they (Cosatu) were allocated one side of the road to protest. The secretary (Phetoe) is supposed to address the protesters there.”
Phetoe said the protest had encompassed the entire plaza.
He said Cosatu demanded that the payment of R71 at tolls be suspended until a solution was found which represented the views of poor people in North West.
Cosatu launched a campaign earlier in the year, calling for the toll fee at the Swartruggens Plaza to be reduced to R20. - Sapa