Coega protesters defy court order, clash with police

[caption id="attachment_41216" align="alignright" width="405"] CHAOTIC SCENE: Police help a woman allegedly hit by a rubber bullet at Coega while some protesters, behind, throw stones. Picture: MIKE HOLMES[/caption]

POLICE stun grenades and rubber bullets flew as angry protesters blocked roads, damaged property and assaulted a security guard at the Coega Industrial Development Zone yesterday. The clashes led to 16 arrests.

The large crowd demanded to see Coega Development Corporation chief executive Pepi Silinga, defying a court interdict that barred them from Coega premises.

The roughly 400 protesters included leaders of the Black SMME Chamber of Business, the Black Business Forum, and the Uitenhage and Despatch Development Forum.

They claimed Silinga favoured white SMMEs while black SMMEs did not benefit from CDC projects.

Defying a high court interdict to halt plans to barricade the N2 highway that was scheduled to coincide with President Jacob Zuma's visit last week, the 16 protesters were arrested yesterday for alleged contravention of an existing court order, contempt of court, damage to property and trespassing. - Alvené du Plessis