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Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Calm restored to Swellendam

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Calm has been restored in Swellendam. This follows the arrest of 106 people in the town yesterday, during violent protest marches.
The Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell has condemned the destruction of the Swellendam Municipal offices, which were allegedly torched by the angry rioters.

Violent protest marches

Several shops were also looted during the unlawful protest action. At the same, more than 100 people were arrested, on a range of charges. 19 of those detained are minors. It’s not yet known when they will appear in court.
Bredell said, “The Western Cape Government respects and acknowledges people’s right to protest or to voice their dissatisfaction. But this can never happen through the destruction of property or unlawful behaviour, as was the case in Swellendam which saw the municipal offices being set on fire.”

Over 100 people have been detained in Swellendam

“When municipal infrastructure is damaged or destroyed, all residents are affected,” he added.
The Provincial Department of Local Government says additional firefighting equipment has been redirected to the town, from the City of Cape Town. A provincial task team has also been established to ascertain how best to support the municipality, following the destruction of administrative offices.

Calm restored to Swellendam

 

He said protecting data infrastructure is critical for service delivery to residents.

“At this stage, the priority is to protect data infrastructure in order for administrative and financial services to continue,” MEC Bredell added.

The protests erupted early yesterday morning. It is related to the requirement for households in Majoks, Swellendam to register for indigent support.

Protecting data infrastructure

The MEC says it’s essential that indigent support goes to the people who need it. He added, that municipalities must update their registers to support the most vulnerable.

READ MORE: Recent taxi protests in Cape Town

Bredell’s spokesperson, Wouter Kriel this morning said that negotiations will continue with community leaders today, to find a solution.

Merentia Van Der Vent
Merentia Van Der Vent
Merentia joined the media world in 1996 and in 2001, she took her first steps in the broadcasting world. In her free time, she likes to go on adventures in the city. She also likes to learn new dances, not that she is any good at that.

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