Cape Town daily, the Cape Argus, reported that 11 councillors had been under police protection between last July until now because of service-delivery protests, intimidation and beatings.

Most councillors were in the city of Cape Town, with others in Plettenberg Bay and Grabouw.

The information was revealed by provincial local government MEC Anton Bredell in a written reply to ANC chief-whip Pierre Uys.

Bitou council mayor Memory Booysens and his deputy Adam van Rhyner, both from the Democratic Alliance, have had protection since last year following their party’s victory in last year’s municipal elections.

According to the report, their protection had cost R2.6 million so far and was being re-evaluated to see if they were still under threat.

DA Atlantis councillor Barbara Rass had been under guard since last month, saying she had been intimidated, physically attacked and her property destroyed.
“I don’t know if it is political or criminal. I don’t know who is behind it or why,” she reportedly said.

Bredell said he was worried about the intimidation but hopeful it was not a trend in the province.