Protests bring Swellendam to a standstill - Municipal building gutted

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GARDEN ROUTE NEWS AND VIDEO - Massive protest action has brought the town of Swellendam to a standstill. This follows a planned strike by residents, protesting against high water and electricity tariffs.

The N2 in both directions had to be closed for a while, but has since been reopened.

Police confirmed that the Public Order Policing Unit had been deployed to the area.

Swellendam mayor, Francois du Rand, confirmed that the Swellendam municipal head office had burned down, but could not specify further on the damages.

The Bontebok National Park said on social media that the park had to be temporarily closed due to the unrest and operations have been halted as staff cannot come to work.

The municipality said on its Facebook page that businesses in the main town as well as in Railton have been looted and damaged.

Police are on the scene and monitoring the situation.