THE normally quiet towns of Bothaville and Khotsong in the Free State were brought to a standstill this week as frustrated residents of Nala Local Municipality took to the streets, demanding the immediate removal of key municipal leaders.
The protest, started on Monday and included business shutdowns and the suspension of teaching at local schools, highlighted the growing discontent with the local administration.
Led by concerned citizens, the protests centred on calls for the removal of executive mayor Nozililo Mashiya alongside the municipal manager and the chief financial officer.
The residents also voiced dissatisfaction with the municipality’s contract with a security company, demanding it be terminated immediately.
Tensions escalated, culminating in a complete shutdown of the two towns, leaving local businesses unable to operate and schools unable to conduct any teaching or learning.
The protests, which lasted three days, were the result of long-standing frustrations over perceived mismanagement and a lack of accountability within the municipality.
The shutdown, while peaceful in nature, created widespread disruption, prompting the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) to intervene.
Zimasa Mbewu, the spokesperson for CoGTA and Human Settlements, expressed concern over the volatile situation.
“The residents have called on CoGTA to invoke Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act of 2000, which allows for an investigation into the administration and operations of the municipality. This section is typically used in cases of mismanagement or governance failure,” she said in a statement.
In response, Free State CoGTA MEC Saki Mokoena announced that he would personally lead a delegation of officials to Bothaville to address the situation.
Mbewu’s statement confirmed that a team had already been dispatched earlier in the week to engage with various stakeholders and, as a result, the shutdown was temporarily lifted.
Schools resumed their classes and businesses opened their doors once again, but only on the condition that MEC Mokoena would visit the area to provide further clarity and intervention.
“The MEC has undertaken to visit the town and a meeting will be held to discuss the way forward,” Mbewu added, noting that the situation remains volatile and that further measures would be put in place to stabilize the municipality.
Residents, however, remain resolute in their demands for accountability, vowing to continue their calls for action until their concerns are addressed. – Staff Reporter