OFM News journalists who took photos of the tight security were threatened and ordered by security guards to delete photos taken of the current situation.

Mangaung Metro spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, says the price tag of the tightened security -  that has been guarding the metro's headquarters for more than a week now - is not known yet but that it comes at a cost. This might be putting even more strain on the cash-strapped metro that is currently under administration. On a question whether this expense is going to put more strain on the finances of the municipality that is currently under administration, he said “any money not directed at service delivery is a lost for the municipality”.

The Mangaung Metro has now pleaded with residents who are unhappy about service delivery to rather come to the negotiation table than to halt services or threaten municipal workers. 

Khedama said in an interview with OFM News, that several services – including the refuse removal and the fixing of sewage spillages - have been brought to a halt, which is impacting residents in the metro negatively.

“The additional cost (now incurred by hiring the private security company) is unnecessary and is a matter that could have been dealt with through negotiations."

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi