By Thembi Siaga & Bernard Chiguvare
The N1 road through Louis Trichardt was closed for several hours on Tuesday, 3 December, following a labour dispute that escalated into a dramatic vehicle chase and shootout. The police later intercepted a vehicle believed to have been carrying firearms after the violent confrontation.
The newspaper was alerted to the incident and rushed to the scene, where several police vehicles were stationed. Motorists were redirected to alternative routes as the authorities cordoned off the area.
Upon enquiry, Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi said that, according to information they received, a 35-year-old male alleged that he was driving his motor vehicle from a construction site in Murunwa Village when he noticed a white VW Polo chasing him. He tried to outrun the Polo, until he reached Louis Trichardt. Suddenly, a passenger in the VW produced a firearm and fired shots at the victim's vehicle. The victim managed to make a U-turn, but the suspects' vehicle rammed into his, bringing them to a stop. Several more shots were fired before the police arrived at the scene.
According to Dathi, the victim sustained head injuries after being struck with the butt of a firearm. The police arrested three suspects and charged them with the unlawful discharge of a firearm, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, assault GBH, and malicious damage to property. At the time of our going to press, it was not clear whether the three arrested men, aged between 28 and 39, had appeared in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate's Court.
The dispute arose after Baagishani Projects, the contractor, allegedly failed to pay its workers consistently. According to the Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) the contractor received R19,999,000 for maintaining road D449 from the N1 to Dopeni in the Vhembe District. It is a preventative maintenance project that entails the resealing of 9.3 km of road, patching, guard rail repairs, and road marking. The project commenced on 7 September 2023 and was scheduled for completion by 31 December 2024. RAL confirmed that no outstanding payments are owed to the contractor.
Realising that the contractor was not honouring the agreed payments, the workers downed tools and agreed to resume work only after being paid. However, on Monday, 2 December, workers noticed construction vehicles being moved from the site, prompting them to confront the contractor. It is alleged that on 3 December, the contractor had hired other workers and resumed work on the project.
"We immediately rushed to the construction site to find out what was happening, but we could not reach an agreement. During the process, one of the [newly] hired workers pointed a gun at me, prompting me to call the police," said one of the original workers.
Upon realising that the police had been called, the hired workers attempted to flee in a vehicle, leading to the high-speed chase. The police eventually intercepted the fleeing vehicle.
Speaking to the newspaper, one of the [original] workers, who chose to remain anonymous, said the payment issues had begun when the project had started. "We sometimes down tools until we get paid. The situation is unacceptable. We have been patient, but nothing seems to change. We tried complaining to the project's community liaison officer, but it was in vain. The project was supposed to be completed, but payment delays have caused setbacks," the worker said.
The newspaper contacted the contractor, Mr Mmereki Spencer Segoale, but he refrained from commenting, claiming that he needed to gather more information about the incident.