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Economic activity in Bothavile, Nala Local Municipality in the Free State came to a halt for three days as residents demanded the removal of the municipality’s leadership and called on MEC Mr Saki Mokoena to intervene in the situation.
Concerned residents of Nala Municipality took to the streets of Khotsong and Bothavile demanding the removal of the Executive Mayor Cllr Nozililo Mashiya, with her counterparts the Municipal Manager and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from Monday 24 to Wednesday, 26 February 2025.
The protest led to a total shutdown of Bothavile, businesses were closed and schools were also affected, no teaching and learning took place. According to the Spokesperson for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Human Settlement, Ms Zimasa Mbewu, the residents are calling on CoGTA to invoke Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act of 2000.
Following the dissatisfaction of the residents and economic disruption in the municipality, the Free State MEC for CoGTA Mr Saki Mokoena will visit the municipality today, Sunday, 2 March 2025, to intervene in the situation.
“MEC Mokoena had earlier in the week despatched a team from the department to meet and engage with representatives of various stakeholders, as a result, the shutdown was temporarily suspended and children returned to schools and businesses were reopened, on condition that the MEC will visit the area. The situation remains volatile and requires the department to put measures in place to stabilize the municipality,” said Mbewu.
MEC Mokoena will meet the leadership in Council Chambers this morning at 10am.
