After a weekend of unrest in Hermanus, 21 people have been arrested for attempting to illegally occupy land. On Friday, a group of residents from the area began cordoning off plots for themselves on vacant land.

Around 300 people marched to the municipal offices demanding electricity and water for the area they were taking over.

Overstrand municipal manager, Coenie Groenewald, said the group moved onto at least three vacant pieces of municipal land and demarcated plots for themselves. The land was earmarked for development of a sports field and children’s play area.

Public order police and evictions company Red Ants were called in to assist with the situation, and managed to disperse crowds.

On Saturday, violence flared up again when protesters torched a municipal building a police vehicle.

All 21 suspects arrested will appear in the Hermanus Magistrate’s Court today.

Police will remain on high alert in the area.

Red Ants assisting Overstrand Municipality – yesterday members from the community embarked on land grabbing pic.twitter.com/3PJ8CGJunT — RED ANTS CAPE TOWN (@REDANTS_CT) March 23, 2018

Pictures: Twitter