The National Service Delivery Forum (NSDF) has vowed to continue and intensify shutdown protests across Mangaung, saying authorities have failed to address longstanding concerns over service delivery, local economic issues and unemployment.
The warning follows widespread unrest in Bloemfontein that led to the arrest of at least 142 people after foreign-owned shops were looted during protest-related disruptions. Municipal officials have since condemned the violence and cautioned communities against taking the law into their own hands.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation behind the shutdown action, forum chairperson Potso Motoko said the movement was formed to advocate for service delivery, social justice and grassroots economic concerns.
Motoko said the latest demonstrations were aimed at drawing attention to issues including deteriorating roads, unemployment, the local economy and disputes linked to the regulation of the taxi industry.
According to him, protesters had planned to march to the headquarters of the Mangaung Metro as well as the Free State premier’s office in an effort to secure direct responses to memorandums and previous engagements submitted to government structures.
He claimed the organisation had repeatedly attempted to engage authorities through meetings, petitions, emails and formal submissions to the provincial legislature, but said communities had yet to receive what the forum considered meaningful intervention or tangible outcomes.
Motoko described the shutdown campaign as a final attempt to force engagement from government leaders, accusing officials of ignoring the concerns raised by residents.
The forum said it would maintain pressure throughout the week unless authorities provided responses it regarded as reasonable and concrete.
Addressing the violence that accompanied the protests, Motoko said criminal groups had exploited the shutdown campaign and carried out looting unrelated to the organisation’s objectives.
He stated that some incidents had already started during the night before organised protest activities began and stressed that the forum did not condone criminality or attacks on businesses.
Motoko said the organisation had called on police to intensify investigations and ensure those responsible for the unrest were arrested and prosecuted.
Although distancing the forum from the violence, he argued that government inaction and failures in addressing community grievances contributed to tensions reaching breaking point.
The organisation also said it had taken steps to prevent further disorder by communicating with residents through local radio stations and social media platforms, while assigning patrol teams from the taxi industry and other stakeholder groups to monitor communities.
Motoko said supporters were instructed to remain at designated gathering points and avoid areas affected by looting. He added that planned marches in parts of Bloemfontein were later cancelled to allow police and security authorities to restore calm.
He further maintained that none of the individuals arrested had been identified as members of the organisation, saying forum members had not participated in the looting incidents.
The shutdown comes amid broader tensions in parts of South Africa over illegal immigration, unemployment and dissatisfaction with public service delivery.