SABC News reports that scores of tourists enroute to the Kruger National Park's Orpen gate through the R531 were left disappointed after they were forced to turn back and use other entrances to the park.  

Residents of Welverdien, outside Acornhoek in Mpumalanga, barricaded the road with stones and huge tree branches demanding employment from local businesses in the tourism sector.  Some of the residents claimed that they had written several letters to the local lodges and game reserves expressing concern about the lack of development in the village.  One of the protesting residents said:  “We want them to help us.  When there is learnership, job creation, at least they develop our community.  We don't have water; we don't have a community hall.  At least they must do that for us.  We decided to protest, because we want our benefits in our inheritance land, because this is our grandparents' land.  So, we want to benefit as the nearest community, from here.”  The Kruger National Park has since released a statement advising tourists to avoid the Orpen gate.

• Read this report by Vusi Twala in full at SABC News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page