South Africa: Ongoing service delivery protest and road blockage in Komani, Eastern Cape Province, Feb. 16-17

Event

Residents of Komani (Queenstown), Eastern Cape province, have embarked on a second two-day blockade of the town over a lack of service delivery, Feb. 16-17. Protesters are reportedly forcing stores to close and blockading roads. They are demanding the removal of the mayor over the ongoing electricity shortages. This is the second time residents have protested in this manner, following a shutdown Jan. 26-27.

Protestors could possibly blockade the N6 highway, which runs through the town. Traffic delays will be likely on affected routes until protestors are dispersed; congestion is likely on surrounding roads. Police are likely to deploy to disperse protestors and remove road blockages: violence is possible should demonstrators not peacefully disperse. The unrest and its associated disruptions could continue through at least Feb. 17.

Advice

Avoid all protests. Do not drive through protester roadblocks until officials have cleared them. Heed the instructions of officials. Reconfirm the status of road routes before departure.