Local protestors demanded the evacuation of staff and 48 members of a British film crew who were in the process of producing a reality show at the site of the Fish River Resort. Image: Supplied.
The Fish River Resort in the Eastern Cape where protestors intimidated and prevented an international film crew from working on site. Image: SuppliedThe visits from the group intensified over the succeeding months, with protesters blocking the resort entrance and intimidating staff while demanding jobs and perks, and challenging the trust.
“We’ve had stand-off after stand-off with the community members, and eventually got the premier’s office involved. We are dealing here with five or six gangsters essentially extorting us,” says MahalaX co-founder Sonny Fisher. “This is tragic, as we had created jobs for the local community and were well on our way to creating what would easily have become SA’s premier film location,” she says. reports that some items stolen from the resort were recovered. So far one arrest has been made. During a burglary on 28 April, every room in the resort was burgled, and among the items reportedly stolen were stoves, fridges, television sets, projectors, computers and IT equipment.