Kalaote, tells OFM News ahead of the appearance of over 30 protesters in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday 21 May, that 15 clients of his were amongst the 41 protesters that were charged with public violence and released out on bail of between R300 and R1000 on Thursday. On Friday, 10 more of his clients are appearing in the same courthouse. Kalaote explains why he is choosing to represent these individuals pro bono.

The owner of Kalaote attorneys, which operates from the Bloemfontein townships, says he is representing residents because he believes in the cause that they were fighting for this week.

Kalaote further reveals that as a township-based law firm, he and others do not feel supported by the metro, echoing the complaints of other business owners who championed the cause of the Mangaung Community Concern. He says the metro often awards tenders for debt collection to law firms operating in the city as opposed to supporting those based in the township. He asks “where are those law firms today, when residents need legal counsel”?

Kalaote’s sentiments are similar to those of the self-proclaimed ‘Free State ANC anti-corruption lobby group’ who have affirmed their support for the now-suspended shutdown of the Mangaung Metro this week, despite condemning the violence that emanated from the protests. 

The group, led by ardent critics of ANC Secretary-General, Ace Magashule, namely former MEC in the Free State government, Sekgopi Malebo, and ANC veteran, Isaac Moroe, said the demonstrations' aim to get the provincial government to deal with the nepotism, tribalism, and tender corruption was well-intended in light of the deteriorating metro.

Malebo and Moroe have also weighed in on the Mangaung Community Concern’s call for the Mangaung council to be dissolved, alleging that a significant number of the elected ward councilors are people who have resettled in Bloemfontein, whilst some allegedly have “questionable academic and citizenship documents”. The Mangaung Metro is yet to comment on the latter allegations. Malebo and company have condemned the violence that emanated from the unrest leading to the death of a 14-year-old learner, Liam Siegel from Heide Primary School in Bloemfontein.

For now, the situation appears to have normalised, pending the implementation of a long list of demands from Mangaung Community Concern. This includes investigations of irregularly awarded tenders in the metro, access to land, and dealing with corrupt and aloof government officials.

OFM News