Tension across the Overberg had put authorities on high alert for the nationally planned day of action – and while protesters did march, the day passed without the violence that many had feared.
In Hermanus around 70 people made their way the morning along Still Street near the New Harbour in Zwelihle.
Overstrand Traffic Services temporarily closed the road as a precaution. The Police and Public Order Police (POPS) were on the scene, but the mood was subdued. The organiser of the protest emphasised that this was a peaceful march. “Anyone who will do something wrong will be arrested. This is a peaceful march.”
Later the day at approximately 14:00 the Overstrand Municipality said in a statement that a crowd of more or less 400 people is walking along Swartdam Road and is turning onto the R43 Hermanus Main Road towards the municipal offices.
“The police and POPS are on the scene, with Overstrand Municipality providing support where necessary. The R43 may be temporarily closed at the request of SAPS. A detour will be in place should the road be closed,” Dr Dean O’Neill, municipal manager said.
In Gansbaai, identified in the days leading up to 30 June as a primary hot-spot area, the day passed without incident. Police conducted routine foot patrols with little sign of the disruption authorities had braced for.
This was in stark contrast to the weeks of tension that preceded the day, during which anti-immigrant marches in Hermanus, Kleinmond and Gansbaai had forced hundreds of people, mostly from Malawi and Mozambique from their homes, some hiding in the mountains and on the beach.
