The Ndlambe Municipality has almost tripled its budget from last year to pay a Makhanda businessman R700,000 to host a music event in the seaside town.
Two people died, a famous rock formation was destroyed, hikers had to be evacuated from the Otter Trail and severe damage was inflicted on property, including some well-known seaside restaurants and infrastructure along the coastline.
Rather than let police tear down his shack and remove him from his property, Thulani Nelani, 41, locked himself inside and set his house on fire insisting he would rather die than be taken from the land his ancestors called home for more than 100 years.