BLOEMFONTEIN – A shutdown planned for today — Monday 25 May — by the National Service Delivery Forum (NSDF) in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) over prolonged service delivery challenges has escalated into chaos in Bloemfontein’s townships, amid a heavy police presence on the ground. Debris, including tyres, is being burned and small-scale businesses are looted in selected areas of the township of the Free State capital.

The shutdown was announced last week through digital posters and, later, a voice note circulated on social media. Residents across the three towns forming the Mangaung Metro — Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu — were called upon to participate. It continued, despite the Free State police in Bloemfontein having warned the public that the digital posters circulating on social media and announcing a total shutdown were “false”. The shutdown has rapidly spread across Bloemfontein’s townships, with foreign-owned tuckshops coming under siege. The shops are being brazenly looted by community members as the situation continues to spiral.

The looting began at night on Sunday 24 May, with looters targeting various areas, including Freedom Square, Rocklands, Phelinda and Petrus Swartz. Affected shop owners are left counting the cost in looted stock and extensive damage to the properties from which they operate. Schools in Bloemfontein’s townships have closed as a safety precaution amid the protest escalating into criminality. Among the most targeted businesses was a large liquor outlet near the Dr. R.P. Molemela Stadium in Rocklands, which was completely stripped overnight following a forced entry.

As the chaos intensifies, bus company Interstate Bus Lines (IBL) has pulled several buses off the road after they were attacked with stones early this morning, amid the shutdown spreading across parts of the townships. Armed with firearms and shields, police members on the ground are stretched thin, attempting to safeguard foreign-owned businesses while effecting arrests.

Despite the chaotic situation, several minibus taxis have been spotted transporting commuters to work in Bloemfontein, notwithstanding calls by the NSDF to support the total shutdown.