On Sunday 27 October chaos erupted on the N2 when a seemingly drugged-up man stood in the path of oncoming vehicles and lugged huge rocks at their windscreens.
Whilst the police weren’t able to confirm details at the time of going to press, witnesses say that a young boy who was a passenger in one of the vehicles was badly injured and had to be hospitalised. The perpetrator was arrested on the scene but no news of his court date has been forthcoming.
One of the cars badly damaged was a Hyundai Elantra owned by Ivan Strydom, who was driving the long hall from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth with his wife, mother in law and five-year-old grandson in the passenger seats. When he told us his story a week later he was still counting his blessings that none of his family had been hurt.
It was about 7 pm and they were on the stretch of road between the Botha and Barnard furniture factory and Eagles’ Nest, only three or four kilometres from Sedgefield when he saw a man step onto the road about 100 metres ahead of them.
“I thought he was crossing the road, but then he stopped in the middle. As I got closer, I realised he was holding a huge rock. It was big enough for him to be using both hands to carry it,” he said.
With traffic coming the other way, Ivan was unable to swerve his car. As he braked the rock came crashing through their windscreen and landed between him and his wife in the front seats. Very shaken up, he drove a little further on before pulling the car over to the side of the road, just in front of another vehicle that was already parked there.
Inside this vehicle, a Mazda 2, was a Sedgefield resident (name withheld at her request) who had been driving along the same stretch only a minute or two ahead of the Strydoms when her wheel hit something in the road. Hearing a loud noise she immediately thought she’d had a blowout, and pulled over to the side. When she got out she saw her tyre was indeed flat. She climbed back into her car and locked the doors to consider her next step. Then the Strydom’s car came slowly past and pulled over in front of her.
At first, she was unsure what to do, not knowing who they were – but then, seeing the gaping hole in their windscreen and a middle-aged lady in the front seat, she went over to see what had happened and they exchanged stories. All quickly became convinced that the same man had been responsible for the rock in the road that her Mazda had hit.
“The couple very kindly insisted on staying with me, though I’m sure they could have carried on,” she told us later.
Another car then pulled up. The driver said his vehicle had also just been hit by a rock, fortunately with minimal damage.
As they sat, making frantic calls to the authorities and family members on their cell phones, along came the perpetrator himself. He had dreadlock hair and looked very disheveled as if he had been on the road for some time. His behaviour was erratic, and they were convinced he was under the influence of drugs “Dis EK wat die klippe gooi!” he shouted as he approached them.
Fortunately, the Strydoms had been successful in raising the alarm and it was at that moment that a traffic officer arrived on the scene, closely followed by the two Sedgefield men who had come to help change the Sedgefield lady’s tyre. While the officer made sure the three vehicles were not creating any further danger on the busy road, one of the local men changed the wheel and the other took charge of the perpetrator, instructing him to lie down so that he could not escape. The traffic officer then came over and handcuffed the perpetrator.
Not long after that, two police officers arrived to take the man into custody. Talking to the Strydoms, they explained that they had already attended the same scene earlier that evening after a BMW had been hit by a large rock. Sadly, in that particular incident, a young lad who had been sitting in the passenger seat had been seriously injured and taken to hospital.
Official confirmation of this was not available from SAPS at the time of going to press.
The already exhausted Strydom family followed the police vehicle back to Wilderness Police Station to make a statement and were only able to continue their journey at 10 pm that night – a shattered windscreen further hampering their progress.
Sedgefield’s Community Orientated Policing (COP) had received reports of someone throwing rocks on that particular stretch of road earlier in the evening, prior to these incidents, but after an extensive search which proved fruitless, they had presumed that the person responsible had made off into the bush.

By Melanie Baumeister
On Saturday, the 5th of September, hundreds of Sedgefielders ignored predictions of inclement weather to gather along the national highway. Their mission – to be part of MOVE ONE MILLION – a global uprising of people standing in solidarity against crime and corruption in South Africa’s government, and the poverty, inequality and other adverse issues that are experienced daily by so many citizens of this nation.
Notwithstanding the seriousness of the issues at hand, the united local community put its usual festive spin on the occasion. The town was certainly not going to go quietly about the business of ‘being heard’, and in true African form there were Dj’s ‘laying down beats’ and some very enthusiastic dancing in the streets – all socially distanced and, for the most part, masked up for COVID.
The crowds were a real mixed bag, from all walks of life and all areas in and around Sedgefield. Standing proud in their black and white t-shirts (produced locally, and sold for no profit), waving their South African flags and displaying their placards proudly – the sense of patriotism was palpable, portraying the undying hope that the community has for a better future.
Under the mosaic heart on the corner at our only traffic lights, it really felt like people were determined to make a difference and bring about change! Especially when local Zumba ladies took to the tar to add some oomph with a performance of the dance craze ‘Jerusalema’.
And as the word had been put out by local organiser, Sonette Jacobs to stay within the law, all the highway traffic could pass through Sedgefield unhindered, and the supportive tooting of hooters and waving at local people lining the streets in their droves was definitely the order of the day. Local law enforcement was no doubt suitably impressed that they didn’t have to get heavy-handed. After all, what we all want is tolerance and peace, and Move One Million might just be the vehicle that’s going to get us there.
As well as the national drive, Move One Million has garnered significant traction amongst South Africans abroad, with expats from 16 other countries taking part, via social media. Many have posted photos from their towns where they are seen with their families proudly holding up the SA flag. The largest recorded gathering outside South Africa was in London, UK where more than 600 people got together for the cause. They and others abroad expressed their solidarity, showing that they still have a vested interest in the future of their home country.
With the founders of the movement steering the wave of resistance to corruption and crime, using all the platforms of social media, their manifesto is simple: ‘We are in a battle for the heart and soul of South Africa. We cannot allow ourselves to be paralyzed by fear for one more minute!’
We have been assured that MOVE ONE MILLION is not a fly-by-night group, and that 5 September was just the beginning. Indeed the next peaceful protest has already been set for the 24th of October, and those that can will be on the streets again – making some noise and taking up space, getting noticed for the plight of all of South Africa’s people.
Will Move One Million pave the way for a better future for all South Africans? Perhaps, but only time will tell. In the very least it served to unite an often divided people behind a common and most admirable cause.

R2408 per month for Knysna Heads Property

It seems that the controversy worm has dug its way deep into the woodwork of Knysna Municipality – the latest upheaval being the Council’s decision to refurbish a municipal-owned flat on the Knysna Heads and rent it out to the current Acting Municipal Manager at what many are saying is a substantially reduced rate .
It was resolved during a Council meeting held online on 6 August, that the Municipality would perform cosmetic upgrades to its apartment at Senza Restaurant, at The Heads, and that the unfurnished apartment would be leased to Acting Municipal Manager Dr Scheepers at a market related rental amount. Dr Scheepers three month contract is set to expire on 12 September, though there is a chance that it may be extended for a further three months.
At the Council meeting, the DA councillors opposed the idea, with Michelle Wasserman citing that the rental is certainly not market-related and that spending R50 000 on refurbishment costs when the Municipality is already cash-strapped didn’t make any sense.
But although the DA spoke and indeed voted against it, the ANC, COPE and KUC coalition had the numbers, and the resolution was passed.
In a press statement issued later, Executive Mayor Ricky van Aswegen described the idea as a win-win situation.
“Aside from rendering the apartment habitable and capable of generating an income, it is important to maintain Council property,” he said, “The flat at Senza was one of two properties under discussion, and proved to be the least expensive option to spruce up right now.”
The statement explained that Dr Scheepers currently rents a flat in a block where three other residents have been tested positive for Covid-19. This has meant that Dr Scheepers has already had to self-isolate for a total of four weeks.
“While Dr Scheepers did work remotely during these periods of quarantine, it is important to have the head of the administration at the office,” the statement quotes van Aswegen as saying, “Renting an apartment separate from other people greatly reduces the risk of exposure to infected persons and the related potential need for self-isolation.”
“Council has a responsibility to maintain its properties and having someone living on-site will add an element of security to an otherwise deserted site,” it concluded.
But it seems others are certainly not seeing the situation as ‘win-win’. Indeed, when the statement hit social media via the Knysna Municipality’s Facebook Page, there was quite an outcry, with no less than 181 comments, mostly negative, made by residents of Greater Knysna.
Knysna Ratepayers Association made no bones about their views on the subject, publishing a post entitled THUMBS DOWN TO HEADS LEASE FOR KNYSNA’S HEAD HONCHO. On the same post, they shared a lengthy statement in Afrikaans which they attributed to Mayor van Aswegen. The statement suggests that the complaints against the leasing of the property were all racially motivated, and symbolised an arrogant and selfish attitude.
Incensed by the whole matter, Councillor Wasserman issued a statement about the matter, clearly challenging the integrity of the resolution and indeed the Mayor.
Here follows an edited version:-
On 6 August 2020 the Acting Municipal Manager, Dr Scheepers, requested that Council consider leasing to him the 86m2 flat on top of the old Senza restaurant at the Knysna Heads, for the duration of his employment with Knysna Municipality.
The motivations for the lease (to the Acting Municipal Manager) presented in the item to Council were that:
1. Leasing the property on a short-term basis would yield rental income for the Municipality; and
2. Having the property standing vacant exposed it to further vandalism and theft.
Despite the fact that the market-related rental given by DDP Valuers in February 2020 for the property in its present state was between R5500 and R6850 per month, Dr Scheepers felt that a suitable rental for the property (taking into account what two other Directors are paying to rent Municipal properties) would be R28 per square metre i.e. a rental amount of R2408.00 per month.
Another request made by Dr Scheepers was that the flat should be renovated.
The Democratic Alliance voted against approving the requested lease.
Our position was that:
1. Knysna Municipality cannot afford to spend this kind of money (R50,000.00 estimated, but probably more) on the renovation of this apartment for a Municipal employee.
2. A market-related rental should be paid for any municipal property. Our view was that R2408.00 per month is not a market-related rental and that an investigation needs to be done into the rental amounts being paid for other municipal properties by members of staff (R4650.00 cannot possibly, for example, be considered a market-related rental for a two-bedroom seafront property in Buffalo Bay).
3. Furniture should not be provided at the Municipality’s cost.
Although the COPE Mayor and the ANC and KUC councillors agreed with the DA that a market-related rental should be paid and that the apartment should not be furnished by the Municipality, they felt that it would be acceptable to spend R50,000 (or more) on renovations and they voted in favour of a lease to the Acting Municipal Manager on those terms.
Imagine my surprise today when I saw the Municipality’s Facebook post that gave an entirely new reason for the lease (The Acting Municipal Manager having to self-quarantine due to other residents in his block of flats testing positive for COVID -19)
Astonishing that this “reason” is given, despite the fact that it didn’t appear in the item to Council, nor in the Council debate on the matter.
Even more astonishing is that it completely contradicts an earlier Municipal Facebook press release (dated 13 July 2020) that said that the reason Dr Scheepers had to self-isolate for four weeks was that “a member of staff with whom they had close contact with on Friday developed symptoms”.
So, which was it, Mayor van Aswegen? The fact that three residents in Dr Scheepers’ block of flats had tested positive for Covid-19? Or because a member of staff with whom he had close contact developed symptoms? It can’t be both.
And then, just when I thought things couldn’t get more bizarre when a resident commented on the Municipality’s Facebook post objecting to the rental, Mayor van Aswegen responded with the following:
“I could nor remember that you vote for me. So why should I take your comment seriously.”
Please take note, Cllr van Aswegen, that when you accepted the nomination and were voted in as the Executive Mayor of Knysna, you became the mayor of everyone, not just for those in Ward 6 that voted for you.”

The netting of invasive carp in Groenvlei provided a rich source of protein for over 1000 people in Smutsville on Saturday 25 July, when just under 400kg of the fish was handed out to members of the community.
The carp were netted the night before by a team of Sedgefielders who have long been working on reducing the problem of the invasive carp that have had a devastating effect on the lake for the last few years. From the nets, the large catch was placed straight into the ‘Gift of the Givers’ refrigeration truck so that they could be frozen before distribution.
Recipients, who had been identified by the Municipal Social Services team, were exceptionally glad to receive the fish, and Gift of the Givers Southern Cape Volunteer Area Manager Mario Ferreira said that it made all the logistical work worthwhile just to see their reaction.
Working according to Government Health Department specifications, the fish had been tested by local Microbiologist Nico Alberts of Outeniqua Laboratory Services to make sure it was fit to eat – and it passed with flying colours.
10 of the fish- about 45kg – was given to Sedgefield Mobile Meals, and Chairman
Jim Mitchell was able to serve it up with vegetables to feed 80 families in need.
“We were worried as Carp has a reputation of being a muddy fish – but the feedback we got from the recipients was that they would like this to be a regular thing!” he reported back.
What really makes this a win-win project is the positive effect the removal of the carp has on the Groenvlei Lake itself.
Petro van Rhyn of Cape Nature says that Groenvlei is an important natural lake from both a conservation and recreational angling perspective. It contains two small indigenous fish species, the estuarine round herring and the Cape silverside as well as several species of alien fish.
“Carp were illegally introduced to Groenvlei in the 1990s,” she explained in an email, “Subsequently, their numbers have increased to such an extent that they cause great concern amongst scientists and conservationists.”
She went on to point out that feeding habits of carp cause habitat degradation (reduction in aquatic plants, increases in turbidity) by disturbing the lake bottom, clouding the water and thereby reducing visibility which hinders other fish from finding food. Carp also prey on the eggs of indigenous fish.
Cape Nature believes that the gill nets are an effective control method and that as custodians of Groenvlei, they partner with the local team of fishermen, Knysna Municipality and Gift of the Givers to supply the carp to the local community as a food source.

Whilst many locals were able to block their ears and pull the blankets up tighter when the recent blitz of Cape Winter weather blasted through the Garden Route, there were at least seven families in Karatara who were left devastated when their homes came crashing down around them.
According to a resident close to some of those families who lost their homes (one last week, and the remaining six on Monday morning between 3am and 4am ), officials from Knysna Municipality have been to speak to them and made a record of their names.
To make matters worse the electrical power has also been down in that area since Monday, and though ESKOM personnel have been to have a look at what has caused the failure, residents are still literally in the dark as to when they will be connected again.
At time of going to press the affected families had all had to make alternative accommodation arrangements whilst they wait to see what relief they can get from the local authority.