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KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna United once again took to the streets to voice their grievances over housing and service delivery last week Friday 30 August, albeit in an organised march this time for the organisation to hand over memorandums to various local institutions.

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The march comprising about 50 Hornlee residents, which began shortly after 08:30 on Friday, proceeded down the N2 from Lamco Service Station under the watchful eyes of the police and the traffic department, with a stop at the police station to hand over the memorandums for the hospital, magistrate's court and police, and concluded in Clyde Street at the municipal offices around noon where the memorandum for the municipality was handed over.

The documents were received by hospital admissions head Percy Bouw, head prosecutor Johan Engelbrecht and Captain Dewald Kitching on behalf of the provincial hospital, Justice Department and SA Police Service respectively. 

Mayor Mark Willemse, municipal manager Dr Sitembele Vatala and councillors Donovan Pofadder and Ricky van Aswegen accepted the memorandums for the municipality.

The protest was not only a means to carry the message across with regard to Knysna's ongoing issue with backyard dwellers – which Knysna United believes can be solved through the provision of housing – but was also used as a way for the residents and community organisations to voice their complaints over service delivery at the public institutions. 

All the role players have been given two weeks to respond in writing, while also being requested to attend a public meeting in Hornlee on Thursday 19 September.

All about the memorandums

Four institutions received memorandums from Knysna United during a protest march on Friday 30 August last week, and here are five of the issues highlighted in each of the memorandums, with Knysna United asking that they be addressed:

Knysna Provincial Hospital

• Long queues and poor service at the hospital and clinics.
• Immediate implementation of the NHI in Knysna.
• Another clinic at the back of Hornlee.
• The moving of the Sedgefield to Smutsville.
• The fact that the Rheenendal clinic is not open on Fridays.

Department of Justice

• That the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) opposes bail to all child molesters.
• A strong stance against women and child abusers.
• Regular programmes with schools to combat "gangsterism" and drug abuse.
• No bail for repeated drug-related offenders.
• The active prosecution of all buyers and sellers of stolen goods.

Knysna Police

• A new police station in Hornlee.
• More visible policing in Hornlee and other informal areas.
• A dedicated line at the police station for those signing affidavits.
• The employment of more 24/7 on-duty individuals who are capable of speaking all three of the Western Cape's official languages.
• Decisive action against druglords and criminals.

Knysna Municipality

• The total eradication of backyard dwelling in Hornlee.
• Speeding up of the building of houses in Hornlee.
• The use of local contractors and workers in building the houses.
• For the municipality to confiscate any house that is used for criminal activity.
• Communal grazing land for livestock.

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