Hundreds of protesters marched to the George Municipality yesterday to protest against an appeal by a group of Glentana residents who have taken their objections to the Lagoon Bay Lifestyle Estate development to the High Court.

The protesters, led by the George Leadership Forum, started from the Conville Civic Centre.

The Glentana residents are concerned about the environmental impact of yet another large golf development, but the protestors say it will create much-needed jobs.

Over 400 people stood outside the George civic centre shouting “we want work” and “Flip de Swardt come out and face us”.

The mayor eventually appeared, closely guarded by the police.

Isaac Felix, one of the forum leaders, read a memorandum demanding the municipality immediately approve the rezoning of Lagoon Bay, and that council address the water crisis and not use it as an excuse to reject the development.

The memorandum also demanded council stop using poor people living in RDP houses as political pawns, and that it stop supporting attempts to develop exclusive white areas in places like Glentana under the guise of environmental conservation.

The memorandum said council should address the alleged racist issues behind the High Court application to “prevent a racist war”.

“If our demands are not met, we will make this town ungovernable,” Felix said.

De Swardt said the rezoning application was with the Housing and Planning Department.

“It is also not the municipality’s main function to create jobs.”

Felix accused De Swardt of being arrogant and conceited, and De Swardt in turn said Felix was a bad organiser who could not control the crowd.

De Swardt left under a police escort when the crowd started shouting that white businesspeople would be in danger if they came into the townships to work.

De Swardt later said he believed “somebody else” was behind the protestors as the placards were neatly written out. “There is definitely somebody behind these protestors inciting racism,” he said.

Felix said: “I object to that – the forum is against violence and racism, but we can’t be held responsible for what desperate people might do. We are also not stupid and got a professional sign writer to help make the signs.”

The marchers all said they were desperate for work.

“I can’t get work and support my family. I am forced to stay in a shack with my wife and three children, with no food to put on the table,” said labourer Stephen Thys.

Jerome Carelse, a painter, said the contract employees did not receive a living wage. “After working for three days I got only R5 in my pay. There are 17 of us working as painters for subcontractors and now we are all sitting at home,” Carelse said.

Mathilde Ferbona, an unemployed grandmother, said she was “sick and tired” and berated De Swardt for not supporting his people.

According to Felix, the police dissuaded the marchers from continuing their protest in Glentana.

“Instead, we are getting a lawyer to support us and we will go if necessary to the Cape High Court to resolve this situation as soon as possible – it can’t drag on for another 18 months.”

By Cathy Dippnall

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