GEORGE NEWS - A planned protest march organised by a group who call themselves the George Community Forum, is due to take place today, 14 March.
According to the organisers it will be a peaceful protest march against the lack of service delivery across George, including recent housing issues, certain issues pertaining to the roll-out of GO GEORGE buses in Thembalethu, the infrastructure and the state of the recently upgraded Nelson Mandela Boulevard.
"It is not that we don't want the buses in Thembalethu, but there is no infrastructure to accommodate them. GO GEORGE is welcome in here, but we don't want to be forced to use the buses. If we want to use the taxis then we have to be allowed to. This march is also against other service delivery issues in George," said George Community Forum member, Xolisani Booi, at a press briefing in Thembalethu on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the organisers, not only people from Thembalethu are taking part. Residents from Borcherds, Lawaaikamp, Parkdene, Blanco, Pacaltsdorp, Rosemoor and Rosedale are also welcome.
Voluntary participants will gather in the open field between the fire station and the post office near the four way traffic light (Fourways) in Thembalethu next to the taxi rank from 07:30. Protesters will start marching at 08:30.
PLANNED PROTEST MARCH TODAY
Protesters, on foot and in taxis, will then make their way to the offices of the Department of Transport in Courtenay Street (along Nelson Mandela Boulevard and up Cradock Street), then to the George Police Station, and from there they will go to the offices of Civil Engineering (across the road from the George Municipality).
Their two last stops will be the provincial traffic offices in York Street and the municipal traffic offices in Pacaltsdorp, from where they plan to disperse at 13:30.
Memorandums will be handed over at each of these places.
"We will not stop anyone from going to school or work. Vehicles will be allowed to pass through the protest to go where they have to go," Booi said.
Members of the George Community Forum who held a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon in Thembalethu are, from left: Xolani Swapi, Xolisani Booi, Castro Leholo, Mervin Olivie, Bongani Bolitye, Vido Ncamazana and Boyce Saleni. One of the reasons for today's protest march is the state of the new Nelson Mandela Boulevard in Thembalethu. Photo: Kristy Kolberg
In a statement issued by GO GEORGE the bus service said the march via Nelson Mandela Boulevard, Courtenay Street and York Street will impact all routes, but substantial delays are to be expected on the Pacaltsdorp routes. As the march progresses, traffic officials will regulate traffic flow and advise on deviations from the normal routes to minimise disruption of the service.
"The situation will be closely monitored for the duration of the march, and any changes to the current plan will immediately be communicated on the GO GEORGE Facebook page and via the local media. The GO GEORGE Call Centre will also have the latest information and can be called on 0800 044 044."
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