Home » March in Overstrand Turns Violent

March in Overstrand Turns Violent

While attention has been focussed on the Riverlea, Soweto, violence this morning where protesters torched Rea Vaya bus station… across the country in the Western Province, the normally quiet Overstrand area was also victim to a march which turned violent. The Overstrand Herald described the scene in Kleinmond as looking like a “war zone” and advised […]

By SAPeople Contributor
28-08-17 15:42
in Eish!

While attention has been focussed on the Riverlea, Soweto, violence this morning where protesters torched Rea Vaya bus station… across the country in the Western Province, the normally quiet Overstrand area was also victim to a march which turned violent.

All photos sourced: FB/OverstrandHerald

The Overstrand Herald described the scene in Kleinmond as looking like a “war zone” and advised residents to remain indoors and shut doors and gates. The roads were strewn with rubbish and bonfires as tensions between the marchers and police rose.

Police shot at the rioters who broke shop windows, threw paraffin, looted shops and burned part of the municipal buildings.

The roads have since been cleared and are open to traffic, although the protesters apparently warned that they may go on the rampage again tomorrow morning if their demands are not met. It is not clear what the demands are. There has been no statement from the leaders of the march.

Overstrand Herald has advised locals to speak to the elderly about being alert over the next day or two, as many don’t have Facebook to keep up to date.

The Herald said: “Unlike before, today’s march was violent. Residents and even the Herald’s reporters were threatened with violence.”

The newspaper asked why – when news of today’s march had been made on Saturday – the police and traffic authorities were not better prepared.

“Why were shops allowed to be looted and the municipal building burned? Someone should provide answers, because this was nothing but anarchy,” it said.

https://www.facebook.com/overstrandherald/posts/1546325695426746

https://www.facebook.com/overstrandherald/posts/1546319318760717

https://www.facebook.com/overstrandherald/posts/1546281472097835

If you’re in the area, please keep up to date with what’s going on: Overstrand Herald

Meanwhile in Riverlea, where marchers were protesting poor service delivery, peace has also returned to the area this afternoon.