This is according to the police spokesperson in the Free State who said the damage was done by striking municipal workers yesterday at the Welkom municipal offices, which are in the city’s central business district. Among the property that was damaged in the raid is the main entrance to the offices, furniture, glass and other delicate valuables which were on the premises. Thakeng said police have registered two cases - one of public violence as well as another of malicious damage to property. No arrests have yet been made.

"They started the day by continuing from yesterday as they were singing the freedom songs. Furthermore, there were faeces that were thrown at the doors of the municipality and tyres are being burnt inside the yard at the municipality. We’ve registered a case of malicious damage to property and that is what we are investigating. The investigation into the matter continues and meanwhile, we are also monitoring the situation,” Thakeng said.

OFM News earlier confirmed that the protest action was organised by the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and over 200 employees were expected to be a part of the strike action. It remains unknown whether or not Samwu members were apart of yesterday’s raid on the municipal premises, which will now cost the municipality hundreds of thousands of rands. Union members have complained to OFM News that the management at the Matjhabeng Local Municipality is frivolous, does not know how to prioritise money for service delivery issues, and should rather step down.

OFM News