Two protesters died in a stampede in Caledon this morning
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
protestors 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 were
discussing the march.” Pete says the police authorised a march for 9 April but
the forum said they will continue with their “march” today.
Pete said she informed her cluster about the possibility of
a march today and requested the assistance of the Public Order Police on Wednesday.
She desribed the situation “as very tense,” because two people
died. “We heard that protestors 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.
