Soutpan protests: Residents render total shutdown of Free State town [video]

Residents of Soutpan have made it clear that they will not stop protesting until their demands have been noted down and sworn on by Premier Sisi Ntombela.

Soutpan protests: What are the residents’ demands?

According to Aphumelele Mdlalane, a SABC News journalist who’s been covering the protests extensively, the residents of Soutpan, a town nestled in Lejweleputswa District Municipality, in the Free State, are gatvol with the local government.

It seems that the protests have been ongoing since Monday, 16 September, and the disgruntled residents have vowed to continue protesting until their demands are met.

While there has been no formal handover of a memorandum, or a meeting with municipal officials, it is believed that the protesters demand site allocations, better roads and the eradication of the bucket system.

What’s the latest?

Residents of Soutpan demanding site allocations, better roads and eradication of bucket system.#sabcnews#sabcfs pic.twitter.com/3UEc0QnJIM

— Aphumelele Mdlalane (@AphumeleleMdla2) September 16, 2019

Things were calm at the beginning, with protesters blocking roads and singing struggle songs. However, things soon broke out of control after police clashed with protesters.

The details around these protests are sketchy, however, according to Mdlalane, a total of ten protesters have been placed under arrest and charged with public violence. They are expected to appear before the Brandfort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Soutpan residents vow to continue with their protest until their service delivery demands are met. Ten people have been arrested for public violence. Residents are calling for premier Sisi Ntombela to come and address them.#sabcnews#sabcfs pic.twitter.com/XcyHJoKP60

— Aphumelele Mdlalane (@AphumeleleMdla2) September 17, 2019

On the third day of the protests, the Free State Premier, Ntombela, has made no indication about whether she will be addressing the frustrated Soutpan community.

The extent of the damage caused by the protest action has yet to be quantified. However, as far as we know it, municipal services have been discontinued indefinitely.

The local clinic has also been closed since Monday and school classes have been cancelled for the rest of the week.

Soutpan residents in the Free State won't back down until premier Sisi Ntombela comes and address their service delivery demands#sabcnews#sabcfs pic.twitter.com/7AgUESg0oE

— Aphumelele Mdlalane (@AphumeleleMdla2) September 17, 2019

This is a developing story and will be updated as soon as more information trickles in.