Aliwal North electricity protesters bring N6 holiday traffic to a halt

Homeward-bound holidaymakers got stuck on the N6 when Aliwal North protesters closed the route today.

The route connects the Eastern Cape to the Free State and Gauteng.

Hundreds of motorists sat it out as community members manned their blockade at the town which is on the border with the Free State.

Provincial traffic authorities and police had their hands full in diverting the steady stream of traffic.

Travellers heading north started being diverted at Komani, while inbound vehicles had to travel extra hours through Burgesdorp to avoid the Aliwal North blockade.

Provincial transport spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie said the blockade was causing unneccessary delays for travellers.

There have been sporadic blockades on this section of road for the past three weeks.

Residents are angry with the newly amalgamated Walter Sisulu municipality which has failed to settle a R141-million Eskom bill, prompting the state utility to cut power daily to Aliwal North and Steynsburg. The cuts started on December 14.