Update: Protest on N2
Angry protesters from Nekkies and Oupad, Knysna stoned vehicles, burned tyres and chanted songs on the N2 highway, between the turn-offs to the townships on Monday, January 28 and again on Tuesday, January 29.
Knysna Municipal Manager Lauren Waring said residents blockaded the N2 at about 18:40 [January 28], burning tyres and vandalising signage. “Residents expressed discontent related to a housing development currently happening in Oupad, which they say is taking too long.
“There have been a number of meetings with the community and its residents in the past, and municipal officials and Ward 6 Councillor Clive Witbooi visited the residents’ committee this morning [Wednesday, January 30] to discuss the grievances and again explained that delays were due to material supply issues outside the municipality’s control,” explained Waring.
Waring appealed to the public to address their grievances via ward committees and other legal routes, and not to revert to violence and damage property. Damage sustained included road surface and road signs.
She continued, “Every time a road or signage is damaged, it has to be restored or replaced, which depletes finances that could have been used for construction of more roads and infrastructure. This kind of behaviour also discourages people to travel through or stay in our town, which ultimately has far-reaching economic effects that cannot easily be quantified but are nonetheless a reality.”
“Local police, Traffic and Law Enforcement responded to the scene ahead of Public Order Police, which responded from George. Once the dissipated, municipal staff and SANRAL cleared the road of debris. Damage sustained included road surface and road signs,” explained Waring.
“The municipality apologises to all who have been inconvenienced,” concluded Waring.
The Knysna Police has opened a case of Public Violence following Monday’s protest action.
According to Constable Chris Spies, SAPS media liaison officer, the protestors “barricaded the road with burning tyres and guard railings. The suspects also threw stones at vehicles,” said Spies. Members of the Knysna Police and Municipal Law Enforcement were dispatched to the scene to deal with the situation. “They were later joined by the Area Crime Combatting Unit. which is based in George. The crowd was dispersed and the road re-opened at about 23:45.” Nobody has been arrested.
Spies further said that a high police presence was maintained in this area throughout Monday night. On Tuesday he reported that the situation was calm, but that “police continued monitoring the situation”.
At time of going to print on Wednesday, January 30, Spies stated, “I can confirm that the residents once again protested on Tuesday night. The N2 road was closed for a few hours, and re-opened again.”
Source: Knysna-Plett Herald