(@RedAnts_CT / Twitter)
(@RedAnts_CT / Twitter)
More Hermanus land protests are taking place in the coastal Western Cape town today, as local residents demand a solution to the housing crisis.
Last month, the tourist hot spot found itself as the unwitting epicentre of the land issue, as hundreds of Zwelihle residents embarked on a campaign of occupation on vacant plots. Unfortunately, the protests became pretty heated.
Shops and buildings were torched as the authorities attempted to wrestle back control of the Hermanus suburb. After a week of fraught tensions, calm was restored. What is more, it would seem the powers that be had listened…
Hermanus land protests rumble on
Investors aiming to build houses on certain unoccupied stretches of land agreed to sell their stake back to the Western Cape government. The Schulphoek owners and Western Cape Human Settlements MEC, Bonginkosi Madikizela had managed to strike a deal to appease Zwelihle.
However, you can’t please all the people all of the time. Residents of the nearby Mount Pleasant began their own campaign for land redistribution shortly afterwards, attempting land grabs and setting tyres alight on the main roads.
Why are residents protesting?
Again, the protests were quelled. But that hasn’t stopped a group of residents from both areas marching to the courthouse in Hermanus on Monday.
They are standing in solidarity with each other and demanding a swift resolution to their land crisis. The group began their march down the R43 and into the town in the morning, before reaching Hermanus at around 10:30.
Hermanus traffic update
Traffic disruption has been at a minimum, but those moving in and around the town must expect delays on their travels. Overnight demonstrations in Stanford have caused the R43 to be closed between the town and Grootbos.
On Monday, Stanford Municipality’s telephone lines were cut off. Residents are being advised to use the alternative number for Gansbaai Administration – 028 384 8300 – if necessary.
Watch Hermanus residents march to court here:
#Hermanus pic.twitter.com/HhhjPOkOL6
— RED ANTS W/CAPE (@REDANTS_CT) May 28, 2018
