Protests in Hout Bay, Western Cape, escalated on Monday with vehicles overturned and a mobile kitchen damaged by local community members. Several roads in the area were closed as protest action continued for the fourth day on Tuesday morning.
Cape Town’s Transport Information Centre, however confirmed that the unrest had been resolved and routes 108 and 109, including Hout Bay Main Road Northbound and Victoria Road had been reopened.
The protests started on Monday when a service delivery protest turned violent, with an estimated 200 protestors overturning vehicles, setting cars alight, and smashing windows whilst carrying corrugated iron into the streets.
Four protestors were arrested for public violence by the Western Cape police.
In a statement released by the City of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille, Mayor of Cape Town says she met with the Imizamo Yethu community leadership (who instigated the service delivery protest) on Monday in Hout Bay, with further meetings lasting late into the night. She says the city remains committed to engaging with the community leadership to ensure that the area is rebuilt and is prioritising the matter.
“There is no justification for the violence which took place over the past three days. The people of Imizamo Yethu cannot afford these kinds of setbacks. We have said from the outset that we have to work together to ensure the people receive the services they need,” said de Lille.
