MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Protestors were peacefully dispersed following the blockading of Louis Fourie Road at De Bakke with burning tyres and debris on Wednesday night, 24 July, and the road was reopened by 22:00 last night.

Mossel Bay Municipality first reported the protest on its Facebook page at 19:30, stating that Louis Fourie Road had been closed by provincial traffic officials due to the activity and that police were at the scene.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies confirmed that police, traffic and law enforcement personnel were deployed at Louis Fourie Road at De Bakke.

He said reinforcements from the Public Order Policing Unit were also dispatched to the area to stabilise the situation. Spies said the blockade followed service delivery complaints.

Mossel Bay Municipality then posted another update at 19:55, stating that the road closure was extended temporarily by provincial traffic officials at Nautica flats, De Bakke, between Bakke Street, Louis Fourie Road and Watson Street (at the Agri SSK shop).

Photo: Marius van Vuuren

At 20:50, the municipality posted that the road was being cleared and the group of people who had blockaded the road were dispersed peacefully. It read that municipal manager, Colin Puren and portfolio chair of community safety, Leon van Dyk, visited the scene to engage with the group and to assess any damage. By 22:00. the municipality posted that the road was clear and had been reopened.

Queries to the municipality and the police have been sent by Mossel Bay Advertiser for more information surrounding the incident.

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