Quiet ahead of Sasolburg march calling for mayor to step down

The situation was quiet in the Zamdela township, near Sasolburg in the Free State, on Wednesday morning ahead of a planned march, police said.

"Everything is still calm at the moment. There are no reports of activity anywhere," Constable Peter Kareli said.

He said the residents, who were due to start marching at 10am, were calling for Metsimaholo executive mayor Brutus Mahlaku to step down as they believed he was corrupt.

The march would start at the arts centre in Zamdela and move to the police station.

"They will be going to the Zamdela police station to open a case docket against the mayor for corruption."

The marchers would then move to the council offices in Sasolburg where a memorandum demanding Mahlaku step down would be handed over.

"From the police side we are ready."

Kareli said public order police from Welkom, Bloemfontein and Bethlehem were also called in.

He said the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) was holding a meeting in Sasolburg at 10am as well.

It was due to meet with the community and give an update on a proposed merger, in 2016, of the Matsimaholo municipality in Sasolburg with the Ngwathe municipality.

In January four people were killed, several injured and hundreds arrested during violent protests after the planned municipal demarcation was announced.

Several cars were set alight and government buildings damaged in Zamdela.

The merger was suspended following the violence.