On Freedom Day, the president of the country confirmed that he was initially supposed to have visited Winburg, however, due to some logistical problems they had to change the venue to Botshabelo.

One of the community members at Makeleketla, Thato Motalengoana, said that due to the commitment that the president has made to them - that he will visit Winburg before the end of this year - there are no protests. “What we didn’t like as residents of Makeleketla is that the Free State Government and Premier Sisi Ntombela denied that the president should have come to Winburg, however, the president made it clear that the initial plan was to have the event in Winburg,” said Thato Motalengoana.

OFM News previously reported that the riots and closing of roads leading to Winburg were a result of reports of the president’s visit that was moved to Botshabelo, to celebrate Freedom Day. Residents of Makeleketla claimed that they were expecting the president to spend Freedom Day with them, however, the decision was later changed by the premier’s office.

OFM News/Kekeletso Motsebetsi