Staff Reporter
Premier Sisi Ntombela has appealed for calm amid the protests rocking the Free State capital city of Mangaung.
Protestors have barricaded roads, forcing some schools and businesses to close fearing violence.
Ntombela said as much as residents were well within their rights to to protest, they must do so in a peaceful manner and find amicable ways of dealing with the current impasse.
“While we completely appreciate and respect our people’s right to embark on a protest action, we appeal that they do so in a peaceful and orderly manner,” she said.
“Nothing can ever justify stoning of passing vehicles and the disruption of businesses, which our people depend on.
“We are slowly trying to rebuild our economy which has taken a serious knock as a result of COVID-19, and the forceful closure of businesses will only cause further damage.”
The premier also raised concerns about the possible large gatherings of protesters, particularly as the province is currently battling with the third wave of COVID-19.
“The protests also take place as the province is launching Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme targeting persons that are sixty years of age and older, and the disruptions will no doubt have a negative effect to the programme,” she said.
Ntombela has assured the people of the Free State that all affected stakeholders will come up with tangible solutions to resolve the impasse which is “no doubt affecting the community in general”.