Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Following several meetings with various role players over issues around foreign nationals in Kwanokuthula in Plettenberg Bay, the Human Rights Commission is set to intervene.

On Monday evening, 12 September, a group of families, women and children included, made their way to the local police station after a group of vigilantes allegedly went door to door forcing foreigners to leave the area.  

Some foreigners have reported that they had been assaulted, thrown out of their homes and forced to leave. It is believed that some of these residents have the necessary documentation and are legally in South Africa.

A group was also seen marching through the streets chanting for foreigners to leave.

This comes after a march on 1 September by Kwanokuthula residents calling on foreigners to leave Kwanokuthula, accusing them of taking local jobs, contributing to a drug scourge in the area and trading illegally. They have since met with police, the Bitou Municipality and other role players to find a solution.

Various meetings were held today Tuesday 13 September, 2022 with police, Kwano Crime Prevention (KCP), community representatives and councillors to restore calm.

At a meeting held on Tuesday afternoon it was concluded that a member of the Human Rights Commission would address the community tomorrow, 14 September 2022 to resolve current issues.

“For today, it was agreed that calm and safety need to be brought to the area to prevent further unrest and violence,” Bitou mayor Dave Swart said.

“To prevent ongoing unrest, in an attempt to calm the situation, the following will be loud-hailed to the Kwanokuthula area to request the following of the residents: a voluntary curfew after 10pm to minimise the number of people on the streets; a voluntary closure of taverns and business at 10pm and there will be increased police patrols to monitor the area.”

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