Knysna police have hands full with violent protests

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Knysna police have their hands full as a wave of violent service delivery protests swept the usually tranquil holiday town over the past few weeks.

More than 20 protesters have been arrested for public violence after 14 vehicles were pelted with stones. Disgruntled residents of Nekkies - an informal settlement just off the N2 outside Knysna - also barricaded the national road with anything they could lay their hands on from concrete pipes and tree trunks to burning tyres.

They say they are unhappy about housing and because a large percentage of the community do not have access to good sanitation and still have to use pit toilets.
The Knysna Muncipality is however adamant that these issues are being addressed and that action of this nature was not necessary, but rather counterproductive.
Southern Cape police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said the first protest occurred on October 3 when residents of Nekkies started barricading the N2 by burning tyres and trees and also rolling massive concrete pipes onto the road.

He said the windows of 11 passing vehicles had been smashed as protesters pelted them with stones. "Many of the incidents happened between 12am and 5am. Luckily none of the drivers of the damaged vehicles were injured," Pojie said.

Knysna police arrested five suspects for public violence.

On October 7 another protest involving between 30 and 50 angry residents was staged in the same area at about 9pm.

Knysna police spokeswoman Lieutenant Sharon Damons said members of the public order policing unit were called to the scene to defuse a tense situation while Knysna police officers monitored the area. Again residents barricaded the N2 by burning tyres. One private and two police vehicles were damaged during the incident.
She said five suspects - between the ages of 17 and 35 - had been arrested for public violence and appeared in the local magistrate's court.
Since then there has been sporadic outbursts of violence over service deliver, but on Thursday police had to intervene again after an angry crowd started burning various objects on the corner of Concordia Road and Sisulu Street.

Knysna police spokesman Constable Chris Spies said a group of people started gathering in the area at about 6am on Tuesday morning. They blocked the road by burning trees, tyres and other objects. "Members of the police responded to the situation and used stun-grenades to disperse the crowds," Spies said.
He said 12 suspects - seven women and five men - had been arrested and appeared in the local magistrate's court.

Knysna executive mayor Georlene Wolmarans said ongoing protests were counterproductive, especially "considering the many efforts the municipality was making to engage with leaders and communities". "While we understand frustrations within reason, and have attempted to address those which we can, we are very aware of the upcoming national elections and the related political interference and incitement.

"The Knysna Municipality requests the public to not be swept up by political sentiment ahead of the election, and to act responsibly in the preservation of public and private property. Despite the rhetoric, the Knysna Municipality has an excellent reputation for service delivery and will continue to strive towards even better standards in future," Wolmarans said.