Mangaung pressure group slams proposed shutdown

Staff Reporter

The Mangaung Concerned Community (MCC) has distanced itself from a shutdown of the Free State capital said to be part of a national campaign calling for the release of jailed former president Jacob Zuma.

In a statement, MCC secretary Keorapetse Koikoi dismissed the planned protest set for this week as a lawless campaign that could bring more suffering to residents.

“Mangaung Concerned Community rejects with the contempt they deserve any attempts of bringing the lawlessness, chaos and anarchy visited on our shores,” said Koikoi.

The MCC organised the May 17 shutdown which brought the city to a standstill with several businesses looted and at least one person killed in the melee.

“We call on residents of Mangaung to defend our city from any fool who would attempt such a stunt in this city. Our people deserve a better and a well governed Mangaung. We call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to stand firm in defending our constitution and the rule of law,” added the MCC secretary.

The community organisation says it knows how badly the city’s economy was affected by the shutdown and it wouldn’t want a repeat of that.

The group said the last shutdown was justified in that residents were fighting for a common cause – improved service delivery – and it was organised by local people with genuine community concerns unlike now.

“The protesters belonged to all communities and were affiliated to different political formations but were united by their hatred for corruption and bad governance,” said Koikoi in the statement, adding the MCC is an apolitical community-based, community-driven social movement.

Last night, Ramaphosa announced he was deploying the military to KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces where several businesses including entire shopping malls have been looted by protesters who are now largely viewed as criminals.

At least 45 people have been reported killed in the two provinces.