Land activists and residents of Suurbraak came into conflict with police following the Swellendam municipality's response to their demands for housing and basic services.
For 24 days, activists and community members have occupied the town's Rossouw Plein next to its main road in protest.
Residents blocked the road to the hamlet by burning tyres and branches, resulting in police and law enforcement being deployed and conflict arising following a tense engagement with municipal officials.
Community leader Burton Beukes said they submitted their 19 demands to the municipality two weeks ago but received a “negative and insulting” response.
“They have not committed to any resolution or timelines on the issues raised by our community. Our request for a strategic committee to investigate our complaints have even been turned down by them, which does not make any sense,” said Beukes.
The group has requested answers about plans for low-income housing for the town, the sale of property and community services for the youth.
The municipality's response said that housing development had been stopped due to a non-existent water and sanitation system; it did not have the authority to stop the sale of property and it was not within its mandate to provide community-based services.
Mawubuye land activist Reinette Heunis said local officials were turning a blind eye to the plight of the Suurbraak community.
Heunis said they were meeting with municipal officials and would not budge until their demands were met.
Municipal manager Cecil Africa said the municipality had only been given 14 days to respond to demands.
"The matter has not been brought to council as yet, but there is a meeting this week and the Suurbraak community is noted as part of the agenda. The calls to create a committee was not agreed to as there are portfolio committees in place to address these issues,” said Africa.
Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said Suurbraak police opened dockets of public violence and the contravention of the Control of Gatherings Act for investigation following the barricade of the main road.
During the morning's protests, police used stun grenades to disperse the crowd and monitored the situation while the community and municipal officials talked.