A mass meeting was held on Wednesday morning ahead of the planned three-day protest action. 

Taxi associations and community leaders are calling for Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and Cogta and Human Settlements MEC Saki Mokena to address their long-standing grievances. The total shutdown is expected to disrupt municipal operations, school attendance, and businesses.

A signed letter making the rounds on social media. Photo supplied

Nala community leader, Thulo Majoe, said: “The community has taken to the streets of Bothaville and plans to close the N12. Schools and businesses have shut down, and there is a strong police presence.”

He added that protesters demand the immediate dismissal or resignation of Mayor Nozililo Mashiya, Municipal Manager Scotch Lehloenya, and CFO Mochela Lekitlane. On Wednesday, the Welkom public order policing unit opened two cases of public violence after protesters barricaded roads with stones in Kgotsong, Bothaville.

Schools in Kgotsong have been disrupted and remain closed, while Nala Municipality’s offices in Bothaville have also shut down.

“Police are monitoring the situation, and it remains under control. No arrests have been made,” said Free State police spokesperson Palesa Thabana. 

“Disgruntled community members had gathered in the morning and were expected to march to the Nala Municipality offices to hand over a memorandum of demands.”

This marks the second major protest to disrupt the town this year. Hundreds of protesters – including children – marched to the municipal office on Monday, 24 February to protest poor service delivery, which they blamed on corruption.

What began as a peaceful demonstration soon turned violent, with protesters looting shops and pelting vehicles with stones.

OFM News previously reported that numerous shops were looted, and several vehicles were damaged. An estimated 300 to 400 protesters marched from Kgotsong in protest against the alleged corruption.

This remains a developing story.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh