[imagesource:facebook/swemun]

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

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

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.

Burning the offices that deal with these issues will obviously achieve nothing, but alas.

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.”

Western Cape – N2 Route: ROAD CLOSED through the central Swellendam area due to Community Unrest pic.twitter.com/r2QMZdBSyZ

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) August 16, 2023

Here’s hoping people in Swellendam stay safe.

[source:timeslive]