KNYSNA NEWS - Residents of the areas surrounding the N2 in the East of Knysna have taken to closing Knysna's main traffic artery once again, apparently demanding an audience with provincial minister Tertuis Simmers.
The protesters took to the road earlier this evening, shortly after 18:00, around the same time a fire broke out at the corner of Industria Drive and Vigilance Drive in the Knysna Industrial Area, where a boat had burned.
This meant Knysna had two columns of black smoke billowing over the town, blending into the dark rain clouds that had begun forming late this afternoon.
While the Knysna Fire and Rescue Department dealt with the fire in Vigilance Drive, police were quickly dispatched to the scene in Nekkies to deal with the growing protest.
They were, however, as usual met with much resistance from the protesters who began pelting the police vehicles with rocks.
The rock-throwing was not limited to just the protesters though, as residents of houses lower down the N2 beneath the pedestrian bridge saw their chance to join in on the action. This thankfully did not last long as police vehicles gathered in the area.
Public Order Policing (POPs) officials were dispatched to the scene, and fired stun grenades at protesters too, but they refused to disperse.
At the time of writing, the protesters were still burning debris on the N2, ensuring it remained closed.
Western Cape Provincial Traffic officials have closed the N2 at the bottom of the hill up to Nekkies, a few hundred metres after the Assegaai Road turn-off.
The fire department is yet to be dispatched to put out the burning debris, as it is still deemed unsafe.
It is believed the protesters are demanding an audience with Western Cape Human Settlements Minister Tertuis Simmers, over a demand for electricity.
Members of the community had spoken with Simmers on 14 August at the opening of the housing site in Hornlee, stating a need for electricity in their area.
Simmers had stated that he would provide feedback within 21 days, and according to residents he has failed to do so.
Police vehicles gathered in the area.
The fire department is yet to be dispatched to put out the burning debris, as it is still deemed unsafe.
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