Update: Protestors reach agreement

Update

GEORGE NEWS - It seems that the municipality and informal settlement dwellers in Thembalethu have reached an agreement in terms of installing electricity and sanitation facilities in the concerned areas.

This follows after residents took to the streets as early as 02:00 this morning after receiving an unsatisfactory response from the George Municipality with regards to the memorandum they delivered to municipality on Monday.

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According to the leader of the marchers, Xolani Swapi, the municipality has agreed to ensure that electricity will be installed within two months, starting from tomorrow, 24 March, and that R1-million rand is already available to start the project.

Xolani Swapi is happy with the outcome of the deliberations with the municipality.

"We are happy that we have reached an agreement with the municipality. This means victory to the people of Thembalethu. We hope that they will deliver on their promises."

Captain Dumile Gwavu, Thembalethu police communications officer, has confirmed that two men, aged 39 and 42, have been arrested for public violence.

They will appear in court soon. It seemed as if the marchers would disperse about an hour ago, but they have now gathered near the police station, demanding that the arrested men be released.