Peaceful march by fishermen in Hout Bay turned into riot by ‘crashers’
THE national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has expressed its “utmost disappointment” after protest “crashers” turned a peaceful march in Hout Bay into a riot.
Deputy director-general Siphokazi Ndudane said fishermen, who initially protested, had issues in the past year and brought their grievances without violence.
“Fishermen are the most disciplined people we know. We have been working with them for a year. What happened yesterday (Tuesday) was done by imposters, people who took advantage of the situation and turned it to chaos. We do not condone violence and will never do.”
On Tuesday, there were chaotic scenes in Hout Bay as Hangberg residents looted several boats and set a police vehicle and Nyala alight. The group of rioters closed off Harbour Road with burning tyres and rubble and pelted restaurants in the area.
A teenage boy and two law enforcement officials were injured in the skirmishes.
Monique Johnstone, spokesperson for the provincial Department of Health, said the Hout Bay Community Day Centre had been closed because of the protest.
For safety measures, the department has deployed Hout Bay CDC staff members to assist at other health care centres in the southern area until the situation in Hout Bay had been managed. Community members are encouraged to use healthcare services at the Retreat Community Health Centre, Imizamo Yethu Clinic and Victoria Hospital until further notice.”
Hout Bay Fishers Community Trust spokesperson Ikram Halim said today they would be joined by the community members, who were protesting for houses, in meeting police, and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department officials.