The disaster relief organisation Gift of the Givers Foundation maintains that it will keep fighting good fight, and that it will not be deterred by a recent attack on its staffers.
It was a close call for three Gift of the Givers aid workers on Sunday afternoon when a Knysna community member hurled a brick at their vehicle, narrowly escaping the passenger’s window.
Gift of the Givers’ Knysna representative Mario Ferreira said although he and his team were left shaken, they would continue serving communities who are in need of aid.
READ MORE: Gift of the Givers team attacked while providing relief in Knysna
“Hope was given that the situation will rectify itself within the next couple of days. We will wait it out and see that things are rectified and make sure that people have water, so we will continue (providing aid to communities). Unfortunately you will always get individuals that unfortunately don’t have the foresight, or they have hidden agendas,” said Ferreira.
Some of the individuals involved are believed to be ANC supporters. The party has condemned the incident.
ANC Western Cape Media Statement – For Immediate Release
18 May 2025
DEEP CONCERN OVER INCIDENT INVOLVING GIFT OF THE GIVERS IN KNYSNA pic.twitter.com/WjktHcewBR
— Khalid Sayed MPL (@MKhalidSayed) May 18, 2025
Three teams have been working across parts of Knysna to distribute water amid the town’s current water crisis. The particular incident transpired in the Concordia area. It is still unclear what prompted the attack and no one has been taken into custody, as the matter has not yet been formally reported to authorities.
Smile 90.4FM checked in with the Western Cape police’s Southern Cape office on Monday and Tuesday, and received confirmation that the matter was brought to their attention during a meeting early on Monday morning. However, Gift of the Givers has not yet laid a formal criminal complaint.
Authorities reiterated that there is no deadline for matters to be reported.
“The matter referred to in your media enquiry was brought to the attention of the local police. However, no formal case was opened for criminal investigation. It is advised that you liaise with the party involved, directly,” said the Southern Cape Media Centre’s Sergeant Christopher Spies.
