Gutted in protests

Gallery Update Video

UPDATE: 08:30 | N2 BETWEEN GARDEN ROUTE MALL OFFRAMP AND PACALTSDORP BRIDGE REOPENED

GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - A group of ferocious protesters went into a frenzy of ruthless vandalism in the dark, in the early hours of yesterday morning (Wednesday 20 June), wreaking havoc on the N2 highway near Thembalethu and in Nelson Mandela Boulevard.

Throwing petrol bombs onto unsuspecting truck drivers on the N2, they destroyed three large trucks that burnt out completely. None of the drivers were injured.

The riot spread to Lawaaikamp where protesters smashed ATMs at Cheap Foods and ripped up paving from the main road and sidewalks. They barricaded Nelson Mandela Boulevard and the highway by force, using bricks, stones and large concrete blocks, disrupting traffic and preventing people from going to work.

By the time the paper went to print yesterday afternoon, the cause of the protest could not be officially confirmed, but it is believed that it had its origins in the March service delivery protest when residents of Mandela Village, Ramaphosa, France and Kapa peacefully marched to the George Municipality to demand basic services such as sanitation and water.

During that protest, George Mayor Melvin Naik promised to address protesters' concerns.

Not satisfied with the response from the municipality, a group of residents resorted to violent action on 23 March near an area called All Bricks, where they burned tyres and pelted police with stones, demanding that the municipality come and address them.

The parties met at the Thembalethu police station, where it was agreed that the municipality would ensure that electricity is installed within two months from 24 March and that R1-million be made available to start the project.

Click here for a photo gallery.

Xola Swapi, who was the leader of these previous protests, has confirmed that yesterday's protest, which started at about 03:00 in the morning, was a continuation of their previous demonstration. However, he distanced himself from the violence and the protest and said he did not know who was leading it.

He said although the municipality might be slow at implementing services in the concerned areas, they have started putting electricity into houses.

"Since our previous interactions with the municipality we have seen movement. They are indeed doing something, but some people want to sabotage these developments," said Swapi.

Lawaaikamp
At about 05:30, a group of youngsters gathered in Vuyani Ncamazana Street where they threw stones and burned tyres in a clash with the police.

Trouble also erupted in Main Street in Parkdene, started by another group of youngsters. It was not clear if this was related to the service delivery protests or if they were incited by criminal elements.

The public order police unit (Pops) and other local law enforcement members were deployed throughout the day to restore and maintain calm and order in Thembalethu and along Nelson Mandela Boulevard, where protesters tried to make their way to the CBD, destroying traffic lights, removing bricks from pavements and disrupting traffic as they went along.

Traffic into town had to be diverted as the freeway between the Garden Route Mall and Pacaltsdorp was closed.

Captain Malcolm Pojie, Southern Cape police spokesperson, could not confirm reports that people were injured by rubber bullets fired by police.