Gallery Update Video
GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - This morning’s protest march through town by the George Community Forum went fairly smoothly with more than 100 protesters, mostly from Thembalethu, combining their efforts to have their voices heard. Residents of other areas such as Borcherds, Rosemoor, Parkdene and Lawaaikamp joined the march. A number of commuters were stranded as taxis were not operating.
Meanwhile, in New Dawn Park, another protest was raising the dust, with tyres being burnt at two areas in Protea Street from 07:30 this morning. The public order police (Pops), officials of the traffic department and George Fire Brigade were on the scene.
The situation escalated and teargas and rubber bullets were used to disperse the rowdy crowds gathering in the street. Police kept patrolling the area for hours after the situation calmed down. By 11:00 all seemed back to normal in the area.
Peaceful protest march
Protesters left Thembalethu around 08:30 and made their way to the George CBD in taxis and on foot. They handed over memorandums of grievances at five different venues. Their grievances and demands include matters pertaining to housing, transport and the state of the recently upgraded Nelson Mandela Boulevard in Thembalethu. Each recipient was given 72 hours to respond to the grievances in writing. A meeting with the various authorities was also demanded.
The first memorandum was received by an official at the Provincial Department of Transport in Courtenay Street, on behalf of Blade Nzimande, National Minister of Transport. Thereafter they proceeded to the George police station where Col Donovan Prins signed and accepted a memorandum.
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George Mayor Melvin Naik and Municipal Manager Trevor Botha co-signed the third memorandum, which was handed over at the offices of Civil Engineering in York Street.
Protesters then made their way down York Street where a fourth memorandum was handed to traffic chief Quinton Williams at the offices of the Provincial Traffic Department, where after they proceeded to the George Traffic Department in Pacaltsdorp. Here a fifth memorandum was handed over to George traffic chief Donovan Saptoe.
Watch a video below:
In court for public violence
Four people, Elmondo Lett, Werner Figland, Leonard October and Abraham October, appeared in the George Magistrate’s Court this morning on charges of public violence after they were arrested in Pacaltsdorp earlier this week. They were all released on bail of R300 each and will appear in court again on 10 April.
Two of the suspects were arrested after they allegedly confronted officials during the demolition of illegal structures in Bluegum Street, Seaview (an area in Pacaltsdorp). The other two suspects were arrested on Wednesday morning during an illegal protest action at the Rosedale traffic lights in Beach Road, Pacaltsdorp.
Read previous articles:
- Update: Mayor receives memorandum
- Update: Protesters in Courtenay Street
- Update: Marchers in Cradock Street
- Update: March from Thembalethu
- Crowd gathers in Thembalethu to march
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