R61 blocked with traffic

ABERDEEN NEWS - Chaos continues at the R61 checkpoint outside Aberdeen this morning (12 June) as the road is completely blocked in both directions.

According to a senior member of SAPS on the scene, the problem started last night as there were only four health workers in the screening tent. Instead of one lane of traffic queuing from the Beaufort West direction, at one point there were four, which completely blocked the road. No vehicles were able to pass to travel towards Beaufort West.

At 9am there were some members of the SANDF present, with weapons at the ready in case the simmering tensions boiled over.

By this time, there were more health workers screening travellers, but the traffic was still barely moving.

Taxi drivers and passengers in the queue within sight of the roadblock were becoming frustrated, as there seemed to be no movement of vehicles. Many had been waiting since midnight to get through.

Members of the Aberdeen Farmers’ Association had reported the matter to Agri East Cape, and were assured that SAPS cluster commander Brig Adolph, as well as more SANDF personnel, were on their way. An army Casspir arrived shortly before 11am.

The gravel road leading to De Kust and Palmietfontein has also been blocked, and local farmers cannot pass to get to town. “There’s no reason for them to even be on this road, they seem to be totally out of control,” said one irate farmer’s wife.

At 9am there were some members of the SANDF present, with weapons at the ready in case the simmering tensions boiled over.