Bredell visits Knysna to address crises

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KNYSNA NEWS AND VIDEO – The Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, is currently in Knysna to meet with Knysna Municipality regarding the water, sewerage and trash crises that the town is facing.

The meeting is underway in the municipality's council chambers, but members of the public are being denied access to the chambers.

This led to a crowd of angry Knysna residents gathering outside the municipal building, calling for cleaner water in the town and for access to sit in on the meeting.

Once the meeting is concluded, Bredell and municipal delegates will conduct four site visits throughout Knysna: in Agter Street in Hornlee to observe sewage spillage, in the Northern Areas where water shortages and sewage spillages are a problem, in Howard Street where sewage pollution is draining into the Knysna Estuary, and finally at the waste transfer station off Waterfront Drive.

According to Ward 10 Councillor Peter Bester, they are calling for the mayor and speaker to call an emergency council meeting to declare Knysna a disaster area and obtain assistance from province. “Knysna Municipality does not have the money or resources to deal with this problem,” he said.

Members of the public protested outside the municipal building this morning. Photos: Zoë Fick

Wouter Kriel, Bredell's spokesperson, has clarified the reason for the minister's visit. “It’s a practical visit to see how province can help relieve the situation with the holiday period looming.

"We want to have Knysna looking as best as possible in anticipation of the influx of holiday makers. We will be looking at what support we can give the Knysna Municipality.”