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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Stun grenades were used to disperse a group of dissatisfied Mossel Bay residents who disrupted the Mossel Bay Municipality’s monthly council meeting this morning, 23 September, demanding better service delivery, which they say they have been asking for since 2018.
The Mossel Bay Police, Public Order Protection Services (Pops) and municipal traffic officials responded to the municipal building in Marsh Street, where the group had gathered.
A spokesperson for the group, who asked to remain anonymous, says their main concerns are a lack of electricity and inadequate water and sanitation services at their homes, stretching back eight years to when they first moved to Mossel Bay.
“We don’t have electricity, we don’t have water, we don’t have toilets,” says the spokesperson. “Instead of getting the right answers, we were pushed out [of the meeting].”
They hoped to speak with either the Municipal Manager, Colin Puren, or Mayor Dirk Kotzé when they arrived at the municipal building this morning, but have not yet had the opportunity.
The group of Mossel Bay residents gather outside the municipal building after they were evacuated from the building. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz
“We just want our basic needs met, but it has taken too long,” said another resident, who also asked for anonymity. “Just think of the dignity of a woman [having to use a bucket outside].”
Despite the use of stun grenades, the municipality confirmed that no injuries were reported; however, one person, a 48-year-old man, was arrested.
According to a spokesperson for the Southern Cape Police, Warrant Officer Chris Spies, a public violence case has been opened with the Mossel Bay Police and the suspect will appear in court once charged.
The council meeting resumed after the group had left the scene.
See a video of the incident below. Source: Supplied
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