Minister addresses Rheenendal protesters

Update

KNYSNA NEWSFLASH - The visit to the community of Rheenendal, just outside Knysna, by provincial minister of human settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela may have left a bad taste in some residents’ mouths, but it was generally well received on Sunday 27 May.

The community has been protesting the lack of housing in their area since 18 May, by erecting informal dwellings on open pieces of land previously earmarked for development.

The minister’s visit was, according to some residents, expected to be a Q & A session, but Madikizela merely addressed the community briefly before leaving. He did, however, do a quick inspection of the areas where residents have erected informal dwellings. Some community members felt the minister left them hanging, and they still don’t know what will happen next.

Madikizela said to the mass of residents during his address that he was very surprised that nothing had been done for the people of Rheenendal since his visit four or five years ago. He added that he has now taken the resolution of the issue upon himself and will revert back to the community by 14 June with answers to their many questions.

Read more in Thursday's Knysna-Plett Herald as well as online.

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