The stakeholder relations manager, Vuyo Ondala, says after careful consideration the decision to halt services to areas such as Bloemfontein and Botshabelo was necessary. He says this is due to safety and security fears following violent protests in parts of the Free State capital, where irate residents are up in arms over corruption and lack of service delivery. 

Ondala says the halting of services is set to have a huge negative impact on the financial outcomes of the company. The violent protests so far led to the death of a school pupil, 14-year-old Liam Siegel and the arrests of seven residents for public violence and one security guard accused of Siegal's murder.

On Monday the bus liner was also forced to abandon the services in Bloemfontein as the protests rocked the city. Residents used burning tyres, stones, debris and other objects to close off major roads leading out of Bloemfontein.

The bus liner has furthermore apologised to all its clients as the protest is set to continue today. It is also set to spread to places such as Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo. Police are expected to monitor the situation throughout the day.

OFM News