BLOEMFONTEIN – Despite a call for a total shutdown in Bloemfontein and surrounding areas, residents largely went about their normal business on Monday, with traffic flowing and children attending school.
The National Service Delivery Forum (NSDF) had called for the shutdown, demanding national intervention and the temporary appointment of an administrator at the Mangaung Municipality.
NSDF chairperson Potso Motoko said the march was aimed at defending the constitutional rights of residents. He also stated that they want accountable governance and urgent intervention in the affairs of the Mangaung Metro.
However, a reporter on the ground observed that residents had not heeded the call.
“Traffic is flowing. People are going on about their business. People are going to work. Children are going to school. We’ve seen taxis, buses,” the reporter said from Phase 6 in Bloemfontein.
The reporter noted that while the shutdown was not observed, the issues raised by the organization remain valid concerns for Mangaung residents.
“Service delivery has quite declined in the municipality. When you enter the city, it doesn’t look really good in terms of cleanliness. It takes time for waste to be picked up. You see a lot of illegal dumpings on every street corner,” the reporter said.
The reporter also noted that a video had circulated on social media overnight showing people vandalizing a tuck shop in Phase 10, but when crews drove there in the morning, the area was quiet.
Monitoring of other areas in Bloemfontein and surrounding towns continues.
