Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - While South Africa plunged into its third Covid-19 wave, Plettenberg Bay descended into its umpteenth surge of rioting, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake as stun grenades were employed by security forces to control the situation.

At the centre of this turmoil are residents of Qolweni, a small community in the coastal holiday haven, who have been barricading the town's main access, the N2 highway, with burning tyres and other debris. 

The action has not only left some residents stranded, unable to get to and from work or school, but the protest saw buildings set alight and vehicles stoned.

The latest wave of rioting, which broke out on Monday 14 June, came exactly three years after the first round of protesting from the community which saw similar action setting properties afire and forcing roads to close. 

This was followed by several flare-ups with the most severe - described as a "hostage situation" - taking place over almost a week in October last year.

Housing

The reason behind the riots has however remained the same - housing.

According to Bitou Acting Mayor Sandiso Gcabayi, it has been established that the recent action relates to unhappiness over delays in the implementation of the town's Qolweni housing project which includes the construction of 169 homes for residents of this community.

"Once more, some of the residents from the Qolweni community have taken to the streets to protest. This action has seen the N2 being closed by the protestors. This action by the protestors does not only cause malicious damage to properties but it also affects the town's economy and image. Moreover, it threatens the lives of innocent people. 

Worse, some of the people whose lives are threatened have nothing to do with our own misunderstandings as the residents of Plettenberg Bay," Gcabayi said.

Smoke coming from burning debris on the N2.

Delays

Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements Tertuis Simmers explained the delays came soon after the R33,5-million project was approved in October 2019 and was set to start in January 2021. His department had offered to assist the Bitou Municipality with the implementing the project. 

"Regrettably, unless a formal request is received from Council for the department to take over this project, we're not able to do so," he said.

Simmers explained that the Bitou Municipality appointed Ukhana Projects as the contractor for the development in December 2020 and the site was handed over to the contractor on 25 January 2021. 

The first set of delays came soon after when residents had to be relocated. "The relocation plan, as drawn up and provided by the municipality, was incomplete and, in some cases, unworkable. Relocations must take place as the land earmarked for the top structures was, and still partially is, occupied by informal dwellings," Simmers said.

This was further complicated by "push back and lack of cooperation from some sectors in the community who refused to cooperate and virtually halted the process". "The community pressurised the municipality to accelerate the process, which also contributed to the premature site handover. The supply of materials for the Temporary Residential Areas (TRAs) by the municipality also had challenges, and processes had to be revised."

Contractor troubles

In April this year, Simmers' department was informed that the Bitou Municipality had terminated the contract with Ukhana. "This termination is being disputed by the contractor, and this has resulted in a stalemate between the municipality and the contractor."

Municipal Manager Lonwabo Ngoqo requested the department to intervene in the dispute, which it did, but with little success. Despite advice to reach an amicable settlement agreement, Ukhana opted to approach the courts for relief.

"It must also be stated that the contractor has sought to interdict the department and/the municipality from appointing a new contractor to complete the works. Even though Ukhana has taken this matter to the court, the department has not received any papers to this effect," said Simmers.

"My appeal to all parties is to remain calm and to find a speedy resolution to this matter. I call on community members to continue engaging their municipal officials. In due course I will also be visiting the area for various engagements on this matter. As the department, we remain committed to this project and sufficient funding has been set aside - but the responsibility lies with the municipality to complete the project, unless it is officially handed over to us."

Gcabayi said that the municipality had a meeting with the community on Monday, which led to the brief re-opening of the road on Monday evening.

"We left the meeting with the understanding that the protest will be suspended and that the leadership will consult with members of the community. We were surprised that the protest flared up within an hour after we engaged with them and they informed us that they would suspend the protest and not interfere with the operations on the N2," Gcabayi said.

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