Kleinmond residents protest over tender

KLEINMOND residents are fuming over a tender that has been awarded to a business in neighbouring Hermanus and have barricaded the main road leading into the coastal town.

In the smoke of smouldering tyres, upset residents said the Overstrand municipality had awarded a cleaning tender of R3 million to someone who lives in Zwelihle, Hermanus. In the past, the same tender was awarded to someone in Kleinmond, creating jobs in the small town.

Resident Nonzwakazi Luthuli, 40, said: “The Overstrand municipality has been giving the tender to a person who has resided within the community for the past 12 years and that person would employ people who reside within Kleinmond.

“To our surprise, a tender has been given to someone from Hermanus.

“Part of our protest is about us having decent houses, a school and a burial area.”

Ayanda Tyulu, 35, deputy committee chairperson for the Kleinmond community, said: “We are fighting for our constitutional right as the Overberg municipality is overlooking us as a community.

“We have been told by the local municipality that we have no right to stay in the area, as it is close to the mountain and the sea, and that we must go back to Eastern Cape.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Wynand le Roux confirmed that 12 police officers had sustained minor injuries and are receiving medical attention.

He said there is a meeting planned between the community and all affected parties to resolve the issue.

He also pleaded with the Kleinmond community to open the barricaded road so that essential services could get through.