KARASBURG – Plans by the Karasburg community concerned group to stage a mass demonstration against the town council were postponed due to logistical challenges.
August Bikeur, spokesperson of the group, informed New Era that their intentions were derailed by the local authority.
“After we informed the town council in writing about our intended actions, we unfortunately learnt that our logistics were intentionally sabotaged by the entity,” he claimed.
The community activist continued that they chose the set date, as it coincides with that of the payment of social grants and old-age pensions, which would have allowed local beneficiaries and those from rural areas to also attend the event.
“In a surprise twist of events, the council informed us in writing last Thursday that they decided to move the social grants pay-point to the Westerkim residential area, which, as a result, made us lose our audience for the petition,” he added.
Bikeur continued: “This, however, is just a small setback and derailment of our plans, but does in no way mean it was cancelled”.
They sent the town council a written notice of postponement, and will communicate the new date of their demonstration as well as handing over of the petition to them and the community.
Approached for comment, Karasburg Town Council acting CEO Steven Fleermuys said it is disheartening that the concerned group, now wants to use the social grants payday in efforts to attract a big crowd to listen to the alleged complaints as raised in their petition.
“Many of these senior citizens are illiterate, and now they want to use them as followers of their issues they have with the council, broadening their support base,” Fleermuys said.
He gave the assurance that the council will always have an open-door policy.