Stekrspruit ‘toll’ condemned

THE  Sterkspruit  Civic Association (SCA) leadership vowed to deal severely with those refusing emergency vehicles like ambulances and hearses from passing through barricaded roads, saying it was life-threatening to patients and inconveniencing bereaved families. The association also lambasted those stoning passing vehicles and demanding money from motorists, saying such activities showed criminals were trying to infiltrate the protest action, but warned they would be exposed. “We as the civic organisation are against the criminal elements which have just emerged. We strongly condemn the stoning of vehicles, assault of people and blocking emergency of vehicles from passing through. “We have numerous times discouraged that,” said SCA chairman Mcebisi Mgojo. Last week, emergency services in  Sterkspruit were interrupted as the community protest raged on. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, were unable to enter or leave Mlamli Hospital. Roads leading to the hospital were blocked with rocks, logs and burning tyres, and vehicles travelling on the road were pelted with stones. A matron’s vehicle was one of those damaged. A Daily Dispatch team and an armoured police vehicle travelling to the hospital had to turn back to town as the road was barricaded. “This is not right. This must not happen and we will never entertain such…