Temporary truce in Plett riot

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PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Nearly a week of riots in Plettenberg Bay, triggered by a municipal housing contract gone awry, that saw the forced closure of the national road and destruction to properties, had ceased after protesters' demands were met.

This may be a temporary truce as further demands by the Qolweni community were made, giving government two weeks to implement these ultimatums.

The riots broke out on Monday 14 June as a result of unhappiness with progress on the more than R33-million Qolweni housing project.

Protesters gathered on the N2 in Plett barricading the road with burning tyres and other debris for five consecutive days. This not only forced motorists to use a detour via the town's Airport Road, but there were also reports of protesters pelting vehicles with stones and damaging surrounding properties.

Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements Tertuis Simmers explained that the action was sparked by delays in the development, which was approved in October 2019. It was set to get underway in January 2021.

In December 2020, the Bitou Municipality appointed Ukhana Projects as the contractor for the development 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. Simmers said the relocation plan was incomplete and in some cases "unworkable".

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 delayed, which also contributed to the premature site handover. The supply of materials for the TRAs by the municipality also had challenges, and processes had to be revised," Simmers said.

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.

During the riots last week, the Qolweni community demanded that the project be handed over to Simmers' department. Simmers indicated that his department could only take over the project if the municipality officially requested the take-over.

Protestors march towards the Plettenberg Bay footbridge over the N2 to listen to Western Cape Human Settlements MEC Tertuis Simmers.

On Friday 18 June, Simmers met with the Bitou Council and it was agreed that the project would be transferred to the Department of Human Settlements.

Photo gallery: Plett riots on hold

Simmers then met with the community on the N2 where he informed them of the decision, but the community then added further demands to their list, requesting that work on the project gets back on track within two weeks and that those who had been arrested during the protest be released. Five men aged between 18 and 49 were arrested and are set to apply for bail in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate's Court this week.

Simmers indicated that he would be back in Plett on 29 June to ensure that the project was gaining momentum, but indicated that the South African Human Rights Commission would deal with their demand about the arrests.

Following Simmers' address, the community agreed to reopen the road.

Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements Tertuis Simmers visits Plettenberg Bay following five days of rioting over housing issues. Photos: Yolande Stander