Police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, says residents are advised not to panic and to ignore messages suggesting the shutdown of the province. He confirms several roads were barricaded earlier on Monday, but has since been reopened and the police managed to disperse crowds. 

Mokgwabone warns that no lawlessness will be tolerated and that they are closely monitoring the situation. His statement comes just days after the neighbouring Free State’s Mangaung Metro was engulfed by protest action, which claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy Liam Siegel. 

The protests in Mangaung brought the city to a standstill with protesters demanding the provincial government to suspend City Manager Tankiso Mea, address service delivery issues, and create job opportunities.

OFM News