KNYSNA NEWS - Dam se Bos South residents closed the N2 near Nekkies for four hours on Monday 7 March.
Spark of the protest
Their anger was ignited after an elderly man, Ziyekile Damane (59), died in a shack fire on Sunday 6 April. Luvuyo Goeba (34) his son, said his father was living alone in the house and they didn't know the cause of the fire.
"My suspicion is that maybe my father was cooking and fell asleep while the stove was still on. This happened on Sunday night at around 22:00. Someone came running to my house and told me that my father's house was in flames. I rushed to the scene and when I arrived the fire was all over the house. Residents were already there trying to stop the fire."
Fire brigades also arrived about 30 minutes later but the house was already destroyed. Damane's body was found inside the ruins after the fire was fully extinguished. The family this week was still undecided about the memorial service and funeral date.
Frequent shack fires
Residents pointed out that this was not the first time that shacks in that area were gutted by fire, saying that, if residents of Dam se Bos South had "decent houses" (RDP houses), this would not have happened. A number of shacks had been destroyed by fire in recent incidents.
The residents were holding a peaceful protest, sitting in the road at the four-way intersection going to Dam se Bos South, blocking traffic on the N2 in both directions.
Residents blocked the N2 on Monday near Nekkies.
Police and traffic officers were on the scene. Residents said they were not going anywhere until the municipal officials came to address them and explain why the municipality was not constructing RDP houses for them as their lives were at risk because of having to live in shacks.
Residents said they contacted the municipality on Monday morning about the incident and were told that they were in a meeting.
Later on, the municipal officials, including Mayor Thando Matika, Deputy Mayor Morton Gericke and Ward Councillor Mncedisi Skosana, came to address them.
Scene of the fatal fire
They were taken to the scene of the fatal fire, walking up the hill on footpaths between the shacks. They promised that a temporary house will be provided by the municipality soon.
Matika said the municipality follows a process to get temporary structures.
"We want to make it clear that there will only be one temporary structure that will be built here. People need to understand that this is only for emergencies. This area is not going to be built any time soon. It was not a developed area. Now we are still delivering services."
Minimise blocking roads
Matika urged residents to minimise blocking roads when they have issues with municipality. "We suggest that if you have social network groups for service delivery, please add us there. For instance, if you told me about this last night, I would have come here immediately."
Police confirm the incident
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies confirmed the passing away of the man. "We can confirm that police attended to a scene on Sunday 6 April. The team was dispatched to the scene at about 22:10. On arrival they were directed to an area where the body of a man was found under debris. An inquest docket was opened."
The road was opened Monday afternoon.
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