Angry residents of the picturesque town of Swellendam set their local municipal head office alight and blocked several major roads, including the N2 highway, on Wednesday.
Residents took to the streets to protest over steep municipal tariff increases.
Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works spokesperson Jandre Bakker said: “The N2 at Swellendam was closed due to protest action. Traffic was diverted through the town.”
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In a statement, the municipality said protesters had set the head office alight, adding that businesses around the area were looted.
“All entrances and exits in and around Swellendam are blocked, including the N2. The Swellendam Municipal Head Office is burned down. The fire department is on the scene. Businesses in the main town, as well as in Railton, have been looted and damaged,” it said.
By mid-morning, the N2 had been reopened, Bakker added.
More to follow.
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