'Muni has to keep residents informed'

Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Western Cape Human Settlements Department has warned Bitou Municipality not to be "economical" with facts surrounding housing developments following recent riots by local residents over a housing project under way in Qolweni, Plettenberg Bay.

The riots led to the national road at Qolweni near the town's CBD being closed after protestors burnt tyres on the road and pelted passing vehicles with rocks throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, 22 to 23 September.

It finally ended following a meeting between Bitou Deputy Mayor Sandiso Gcabayi and Qolweni residents on Wednesday afternoon. However, another meeting on Monday this week sparked yet another wave of protests later that night through to the next morning, and again on Tuesday night 29 September through to Wednesday morning.

"These protests were largely due to the housing development in Ward 3," municipal spokesperson Andile Namntu said. "The members of the community raised a concern that they are not informed about the progress of this project. They were not happy that the project seems to happen at a very slow pace."

Bitou Deputy Mayor Sandiso Gcabayi

During last Wednesday's meeting, Gcabayi gave a full update on the progress of the project and indicated that the tender process to appoint a contractor is in its final stages. "It is only for the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements to give the go-ahead in terms of budget," he said.

The municipality indicated during the meeting that it would provide further feedback to the community on Monday, but residents who attended the Monday meeting said their questions, including whether a contractor for the project had been appointed, were not answered fully. This sparked the second series of upheavals. Riot police managed to disperse the protesters on Wednesday morning.

Qolweni protestors light tyres and debris on the N2 in Plettenberg Bay last week. Photo supplied

Namntu confirmed that the riots were sparked by the fact that a contractor had not started on the project.

As for the municipality's statement regarding the provincial department's input, the department's spokesperson, Marcellino Martin, had the following to say: "The Bitou Municipality's statement that they're waiting on the provincial Department of Human Settlements to give the go-ahead in terms of the budget for this project, is false. We can categorically state that on 18 September, we received e-mail correspondence from the Bitou Municipality where advice was sought.

"An internal departmental meeting was convened and on 23 September, after due consideration, we replied via e-mail to the municipality. It is also critical to note that it is the local authority's responsibility to regularly keep its residents informed with facts and to never be economical with the truth."

Namntu's response to the department's criticism was that the municipality stood by its statement.

Qolweni protestors lit tyres and debris on the N2 in Plettenberg Bay last week. Photo supplied