Provincial police spokesperson, Stephen Thakeng, says the police were mobilised after one hundred residents marched towards the town centre of Hertzogville and blocked streets with stones. It's alleged that residents of Hertzogville have been without water for a month and this sparked the protests. Thakeng says community members were blocked from entering the town and only delegates were allowed to meet up with the mayor and the speaker of Tokologo Local Municipality. Police are currently monitoring the situation.

ALSO READ: Protests erupt in Free State towns

On Monday 16 January 2023, residents of Moqhaka also marched to the headquarters of the municipality to raise concerns over the provision of water and sanitation, electricity costs, residential sites, youth development, and SMME developments. Whilst a house belonging to the parents of the Mayor of the Ngwathe Local Municipality in Parys, Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni, was set alight by residents who were also protesting over service delivery issues.

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