GEORGE NEWS - Residents of Touwsranten are up in arms after a 1-year-old baby was hit and killed by a Toyota Hilux bakkie on Saturday 10 October.

The incident took place about 12:30 in Denneboom Street when the Hilux allegedly reversed and hit the child.

The boy, Siyabulela Adonis, sustained serious injuries and was declared dead by paramedics on the scene.  

Livid community members, who threatened to take the law into their own hands, allegedly took to the streets and burned a tyre in front of the driver’s house in Roosmaryn Street last night, Wednesday 14 October.

According to unconfirmed reports they are angry because the driver of the bakkie was not taken into custody on the scene where the child died and did not appear in court.

According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, members of the George visible policing unit, as well as public order policing (Pops) were called out to the scene in Touwsranten at approximately 20:00 last night where protestors were burning tyres in front of the driver’s house.  

“They demanded his removal and arrest. Pops members were dispatched and intervened to dissolve the matter. Stun grenades were used to disperse the crowd of about 150 disgruntled community members, after which they dispersed peacefully. The owner of the house accompanied police to George Station, willingly. No arrest was made,” he said.

Pojie urges the community not to take the law into their own hands, but instead allow the police to fully investigate the incident and submit the docket to the NPA for further guidance and possible prosecution.  

“We want the community and all affected persons to rather cooperate with the investigation and to not jeopardise the investigation by performing vigilante actions. They need to respect due processes which we also have to adhere to. Commissioned officers have also been appointed to do an internal investigation into the circumstances and conduct of our members,” he said.

Earlier this afternoon local councillor, Virgill Gericke, said that he had arranged to speak to the Touwsranten community and the family of the boy later this afternoon.

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'