Power gripes spark protest
Rheenendal locals awoke on Tuesday 28 July to burning tyres and debris as well as the closing off of the only road into the rural settlement, which is located 20 minutes from Knysna. This was due to a group of Rheenendal residents who took to the streets in the early hours of the morning to voice their demands for better electricity supply in the area. According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, the protests flared up at about 05:00, but the matter was soon under control as the police was notified not long afterwards. "We dispatched public order policing (Pop) to the scene where they brought the situation under control and continue to monitor the area," Spies said.
The protesters had been dispersed by midmorning, and police remained on the scene to ensure control of the situation. There were several Pop vehicles on hand, and some locals even began clearing the road of bricks that were used for the protest.