BLOEMFONTEIN – The local bus company, Interstate Bus Lines (IBL), is fully operational in the greater Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) and surrounding areas – as noted on Tuesday 30 June. This alleviates public fear due to a self-imposed deadline for the departure of undocumented foreign nationals.

The company is the largest public transporter of passengers between Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu, and the Free State capital of Bloemfontein. Authorities have since advised that the day in question remains a regular working day, further urging commuters to proceed with their normal travel plans. The public has further been assured that the planned protests in the greater MMM will be free of incidents of violence.

Gopolang Monnatlale, spokesperson for the IBL, said the company’s fleet of about 240 buses operate as normal. “All employees have been instructed to report for duty. We remain confident in the safety measures announced by South African law enforcement and are committed to providing safe and reliable transport to our passengers,” he said.

Monnatlale said part of the communication with passengers includes sending SMS notifications confirming that bus services continue as scheduled. “Should there be any changes, we will communicate them immediately via SMS and our official social media platforms,” he added.

Numerous busses of the company were targeted during recent protests. These were notably the Service Delivery Forum’s Mangaung Shutdown over poor service delivery on 25 May, and on 10 June during the Greater Bloemfontein Taxi Association wild-cat protest against the  impoundments of their taxis by the Mangaung Metro Traffic Department officials.

Meanwhile, authorities of the Mangaung Metro have confirmed receiving three notifications for planned marches against undocumented foreigners tomorrow, coinciding with the deadline. They are organised by the Bloemfontein 051 March, Stakeholder Forum March, and Thaba Nchu Concerned Group March.