Two protesters died in a stampede in Caledon after protest action erupted early this morning.
Col. Pete, station commander of Caledon police, confirmed that police were trying to move back the crowd. “Stun grenades were thrown at
protesters and this caused a stampede. Two people died on the crime scene.”
Pete said the head of Visible Policing attended a meeting on Tuesday with members of the Caledon Community Forum. “The meeting went well and they discussed the march.” Pete says the police authorised a march for 9 April but the Caledon Community Forum said they will continue with their “march” today.
Pete said she informed her cluster about the possibility of a protest today and requested the assistance of the Public Order Police on Wednesday.
She described the situation as “very tense”, because two people died. “We heard that protesters wanted to burn Avbob, but police officials were
sent to prevent it from happening.”
Pete said the grievances highlighted by the committee focused on the municipality not providing them with feedback, housing, toilet facilities and general service delivery. “The committee gave the municipality seven days to respond to their grievances, but the municipality then requested another seven days, and the people decided to march.”
Overstrand traffic reported at 09:00 that the R320 on Caledon side of the Hemel-en-Aarde road is closed. The R316 to Bredasdorp is closed and motorists are advised to used alternative routes.