Four people are dead, and a Port Elizabeth woman is fighting for her life in hospital as a result of actions linked to this past week’s protests that rocked Plettenberg Bay.
Bitou Municipality spokesperson, Manfred van Rooyen, writing in his personal capacity, penned an open letter to the ANC on Sunday calling on the governing party to show leadership in addressing the crisis in the town.
He also highlighted the human cost of the protests which saw the N2 closed for several days this week, shops and businesses being looted, and millions lost to the local economy.
Three people, including a bus driver, were killed and more than 40 passengers were injured, when an Eagle Liner bus diverted from the N2 crashed on the Robberg/Airport road in the early hours of Friday morning.
Van Rooyen also revealed that an elderly woman died on Thursday when she developed respiratory problems and the ambulance sent to assist was prevented from entering New Horizons.
A 56-year-old Port Elizabeth woman, Haydee de Doncker, is also in serious condition in a George hospital after being hit on the head by a brick flung through the window of the car that she was in.
Police arrested at least 81 people, the youngest of which is just 13, on various charges, including public violence and malicious damage to property.
Negotiations between the Municipality and protesters, facilitated by the SA Human Rights Commission, ended the protests on Friday with the N2 later re-opened to traffic.
But, Van Rooyen, said with rumours abound of a possible resumption of the protests on Wednesday by unhappy Qolweni residents, he believes “it will take mature, courageous, inspirational and visionary leadership to navigate us through the coming week that lies ahead”.
(Pic: Facebook)
