Cape Town – Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr. Dion George, has expressed “critical concern” over the threats to disrupt harbour exercise and public roads round St Helena Bay.
Disgruntled fishing teams have threatened to dam roads and disrupt harbour operations round St Helena Bay on Monday, 14 July 2025.
Circulated notices recommend that protest organisers intend to dam entry routes from Paternoster, Vredenburg, and Laaiplek from 11 pm (23:00).
The deliberate protests elevate considerations for security, public order, and financial exercise.
The minister stated he has written to the provincial police commissioner to request readability on whether or not the required authorisations for protest motion had been obtained.
The division has known as on regulation enforcement to watch the state of affairs carefully and act decisively if public infrastructure, harbour exercise or the rights of others are threatened.
“Government can’t and won’t permit public roads or nationwide infrastructure to be obstructed by people performing outdoors of due course of,” stated Minister George.
“No trigger is superior by disruption, intimidation or illegal conduct.
“These techniques hurt the very communities they declare to symbolize.”
The protest seems to centre across the allocation of fishing rights below the earlier administration.
These allocations are topic to a legally outlined appeals course of, which is already below means in a number of circumstances.
Minister George made it clear that political stress or disruptive motion is not going to affect a course of that should stay honest, clear and lawful.
“This Ministry doesn’t function in line with who makes probably the most noise,” he stated.
“We function inside the regulation and within the public curiosity.”
The division stated it is going to proceed to interact brazenly and constructively with recognised and consultant buildings, together with conventional leaders, registered co-operatives, and civil society organisations.
At the identical time, the division is making regular progress in its programme to revitalise South Africa’s long-neglected fishing harbours.
This work is already delivering advantages in native communities and can proceed with out disruption.
“Real progress is underway, and it’ll not be derailed by dysfunction,” stated Minister George.
“I stay dedicated to strengthening the fishing sector and bettering the lives of coastal communities, however that may solely occur by way of lawful and constructive engagement.”
