WATCH | Swellendam municipal offices destroyed as rioters run amok

The municipal head office in Swellendam was torched while several other buildings and shops were looted as protesters went on the rampage on Wednesday.

All entrances and exits in and around the Western Cape town were blocked, including the N2, the municipality confirmed.

“Businesses in the main town as well as in Railton (the adjoining township) have been looted and damaged,” the municipality said.

“The Swellendam municipal head office is burnt down. The fire department is on the scene.”

Videos of burning buildings and protesters streaming down the town’s main street have been widely circulated on social media. The protest allegedly stems from unhappiness over electricity tariffs and service delivery issues in Railton.

Police spokesperson Sgt Wesley Twigg said: “Disgruntled protesters gathered in Swellendam on Wednesday morning in protest of service delivery in the area.

“Police are on the scene monitoring the situation and arrested 27 protesters for public violence, malicious damage to property and arson.

“Law enforcement agencies will remain in the area until calm has been restored.”

“While the right to protest peacefully is respected, the protest was not peaceful,” the municipality said in an update shared via Facebook.

“Protesters mobilised from as early as 3am in the informal settlements.

“From Matjoks, the protesters armed with sticks and makeshift weapons clashed with the police. Protesters moved from Matjoks through Railton and crossed under the N2 to Swellendam, where they blocked off roads, burnt tyres and moved to the municipal offices ... where they proceeded to burn down the municipal building and loot nearby shops.

“The police drove the protesters back towards Matjoks, but on their way more shops were looted ... The situation remains serious and mediation is in process.”

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