The Mossel Bay Municipality cancelled an official housing handover to residents who relocated from Powertown to Sonskynvallie near Hartenbos on Friday, so as not to ruffle the feathers of other local residents demanding their own homes.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony by mayor, Harry Levendal, was called off when Sonskynvallei residents blocked the road to the newly built homes.
Residents of Powertown are being relocated because they are currently living on a flood plain but many resident are however refusing to move, with 18 families relocated so far.
One resident, Isaac Meintjies, said that they initially agreed with Mossel Bay Municipality to "welcome" the Powertown residents to Sonskynvallei provided that they too get their own homes when Powertown residents move over.
Mossel Bay Advertiser reported that the "explosive" situation was diffused following the intervention of a senior officer from the Da Gamaskop police stations and following negotiations between the two groups of residents it was agreed that the Powertown residents could move in.
Meintjies said they are now waiting for a meeting date with the Mossel Bay Municipality to discuss their own housing demands.
He said no more residents from Powertown, other than the 18 families who relocated this week, will be allowed to settle in Sonskynvallei until their demands are met.
(Pic: MosselBay Advertiser)
