MyPE

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Stanford Road reopened

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Port Elizabeth – Stanford Road, where residents of Port Elizabeth’s northern areas have stoned passing cars and barricaded the road with boulders, was opened to traffic on Wednesday afternoon.

At 16:00, municipal workers were seen sweeping away ashes and rubbish and carrying away the boulders from the road.

Earlier, police blocked off the road at Gelvandale High School to prevent motorists from driving through, while in the distance rocks and rubbish could be seen strewn across the road.

Residents recently closed down schools in the area to protest against a shortage of teachers and the non-payment of those who are already employed, among other problems.

Police had to disperse the protesters on Monday with rubber bullets, tear gas and a water cannon, while children from homes overlooking the road continued to pelt cars on Tuesday.

Parents, residents and the Northern Areas Education Forum decided at a meeting on Tuesday night to reopen the schools on Thursday after the provincial education department said it was dealing with the problems in the area.

Marlon Daniels, a community activist and a member of the forum, told News24 earlier on Wednesday that nearby homes had been without electricity since Tuesday night.

“The interpretation by locals is that it is deliberate and some see this as an opportunity to continue [to protest].

“We have engaged the municipality to get electrical staff here, but they are on strike.”

He said the only way to stop the stoning and the barricades was to get children back at school. The essence of the problems [that led to the closures] have been addressed.”

Ahmed Areff, News24

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.