BITOU NEWS - While the N2 in Plettenberg Bay remains closed due to protestors barricading the national road over housing issues, local and provincial government are attempting to find a way to appease angry residents.

The national road was forced closed on Monday 14 June, when a group of Qolweni residents gathered near the Shell garage burning tyres and other debris. While the road was reopened briefly during Monday evening, the protest flared up less than an hour later. 

This morning, Wednesday 16 June, the road was still closed.

Acting Bitou Mayor Sandiso Gcabayi said it was established, during a meeting with Qolweni community leaders, that the riot was sparked by unhappiness about delays in implementing the R33,5-million Qolweni housing project which was handed over to the contractor in January this year.

Western Cape MEC for human settlements Tertuis Simmers said the delays were due to a series of issues including the municipality’s relocation plan which he said was “incomplete” and in some cases “unworkable”.

He added that the municipality also terminated the contract with the project contractor, which had let to court action and subsequently a halt in the progress.

“My appeal to all parties is to remain calm and to find a speedy resolution to this matter. I call on community members to continue engaging their municipal officials. In due course I will also be visiting the area for various engagements on this matter. As the department, we remain committed to this project and sufficient funding has been set aside – but the responsibility lies with the municipality to complete the project, unless it is officially handed over to us,” Simmers said.

Gcabayi said that the municipality had a meeting with the community which led to the brief re-opening of the road on Monday evening. 

“We left the meeting with the understanding that the protest will be suspended and that the leadership will consult with members of the community. We were surprised that the protest flared up within an hour after we engaged with them and they informed us that they would suspend the protest and not interfere with the operations on the N2,” Gcabayi said.

Read more in the Knysna-Plett Herald print edition.

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