The peaceful haven for orphans and community upliftment project near Verulam, LIV Village was plunged into terror on Monday morning, as protesters stormed the village.
LIV Village founder Tich Smith said protesters from Cottonlands arrived around 4.15am and blocked the main and side entrance to LIV Village with burning tires.
At 6am the 33 foster mothers and 163 children were evacuated to the multi purpose hall in the middle of the village, after protesters started throwing rocks at the LIV security and staff.
They made their way to LIV’s first security gate where they forced the gate open to get onto the property.
“They pulled down fences, burned down a wooden hut and pulled out road signs as they made their way to the main gate.
“They forced the main gate open but did not enter areas where the mothers, children and staff were. The group broke down the main gate to our factories, training centre and clinic and broke down the back wall.
“They broke into all our factories, training centres, clinic and hydroponic tunnel offices. They proceeded to loot and vandalise the property,” said Smith.
“It was heart-breaking to see the community clinic being vandalised as well as the clothing factory, the printing factory and the welding school.”
Verulam SAPS spokesman Capt Mark Prakasim said they dispersed the more than 200 protesters.
“Calm was restored and no one was injured. No arrests were made,” said Prakasim.
Smith said the protest was called to show “dislike for the employment of people from outside communities.”
However, Smith said part of the vision of LIV is to create jobs for the local community through the village, factories and training facilities.
“The vision of LIV has always been to not only look after the vulnerable orphaned children in a village environment but also to come alongside our neighbouring communities.
“The biggest problem there is the high percentage of unemployed people.
“Our aim is to skill, train and employ as many people from the community as possible, but LIV is limited by funding. We continue to look for funding all over the world for both the village and the businesses.
“We hope to grow the businesses and to employ more people as the businesses become profitable. We have also set up a culinary school, welding school and clothing factory where we train people from the community and hopefully help them to get jobs or employ them in the businesses. All these were set up to benefit the community.”
LIV Village met with the Area Committee and SAPS on Monday and have committed to set up a task team to address the issues.
“We hope that our meeting, which lasted four hours at the Verulam police station, with the community leaders will lead to a closer working relationship with the community.
“I feel heartbroken by the destruction, drained from the meetings, but full of hope that Cottonlands will be a place where there will be peace and joy once again.”
To help LIV Village restore and rebuild, contact Carita at 084 500 0642 or send a mail to carita@liv-village.com
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