PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS – Qolweni housing riots briefly flared up again in Plettenberg Bay on Tuesday 29 June, 11 days after a days-long spate of protests that forced the national road to be closed in the coastal holiday town.

This came after a follow-up virtual meeting with MEC for Human Settlements Tertuis Simmers on Tuesday.

Simmers was in Plett on 18 June to meet with the community after five days of rioting by residents who were unhappy about delays in the R33,5-million Qolweni housing project.

Rioters barricaded the national road, forcing motorists to take detours. There were also reports of passing vehicles being pelted with stones and properties being damaged.

The community demanded that the project be handed over to Simmers' department, which was done during the MEC's visit on 18 June.

Simmers also agreed to follow up with the community on Tuesday this week to ensure that the project was gaining momentum. That meeting, that was scheduled for Tuesday, was held virtually due to new level 4 lockdown regulations.

The Bitou Municipality's communication team described the meeting as a success, saying that Simmers' department had appointed a new main contractor for the project. The contractor, who was part of the virtual meeting, promised to meet with the leadership of Qolweni this week at the site.

"The aim is to start as soon as it is possible, but also keeping in mind the threats posed by the lockdown regulations," the team said in a statement. "There is commitment from all parties involved to have this project delivered."

Despite this, a protest broke out on Tuesday evening, but according to authorities there was only a small crowd and the Qolweni community diffused the situation themselves.

'We bring you the latest Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route news'