Marchers gather outside municipality over housing in Mossel Bay

Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Over 50 people marched through Mossel Bay, gathering in front of the Mossel Bay Town Hall to hand over a petition and memorandum regarding housing issues this afternoon, Friday 17 July.

The march started at the Shoprite in KwaNonqaba. From there, the group moved to Mountain View and then proceeded down Alhof Drive and Marsh Street, ending at the town hall, all under a heavy police and law enforcement presence. Members of the Public Order Police were also present.

The march was organised by the political party, the People's Movement for Change (PMC), regarding Mountain View's First Home Finance (FHF) units in Mossel Bay, of which 80% are currently unoccupied.

The PMC had previously said that it was unacceptable for these units (which are for sale for R429 000) to be standing empty while there were residents without houses on the housing beneficiary list.

Curt van Heerden, the PMC deputy president, gestures as he speaks to the gathering outside the Mossel Bay Town Hall. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure had later said the empty houses were primarily due to potential buyers' challenges with home financing.

The group had demanded the attendance of Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers, Premier Alan Winde, as well as Mayor Dirk Kotzé. A representative for Kotzé, Cllr Anton Dellemijn, was present to receive the petition and memorandum.

The marchers walking along Bill Jeffery Drive. Photo: Sharlton Groenewald

This was refused by leaders of the gathering, who insisted that the requested individuals be present.

They had initially refused to disperse the march until their requests were met, at some stage gathering at the entrance of the Mossel Bay Municipality. Eventually, however, the march had come to an end later in the afternoon.

There was a strong police presence during the protest. Photo: Sharlton Groenewald