SASOLBURG – Chaos, loud music, and a public boozing spree turned Sasolburg’s Civic Centre into a nightclub, leaving the town’s leadership fuming.
This comes after videos captured straight from the wild street bash hit social media, showing young men and women dancing in the middle of Fichardt Street with bottles in their hands.
What seemed to be a party from a Sunday evening, spilling into the next morning, October 6, saw public disturbance as cars hooted, boozers whistling and screaming while music blasted as the party went on right in the heart of the civic centre.
The now-infamous bash, hosted outside Upstairs Nightclub, has triggered outrage from residents, workers, and even the mayor himself.
Following the night of passion, a high-level crisis meeting was swiftly called at the Public Safety Offices, attended by top SAPS brass, the Fezile Dabi District Police Commissioner, municipal officials, and the Free State Liquor Board.
In a statement, Metsimaholo Local Municipality spokesperson Dr. Gino Alberts confirmed the sitting and the minutes of the meeting.
Alberts said the panel of stakeholders expressed grave concern over the reckless and irresponsible conduct displayed during the incident.
“The mayor [Jack Malindi] has since condemned the incident in the strongest terms, describing it as an act of lawlessness that tarnishes the image of Metsimaholo and undermines efforts to build a safe and orderly community,” he said.
Following the meeting, different stakeholders committed to stronger cooperation and stricter control measures, urging business owners to comply with liquor regulations and municipal by-laws. In a new twist, the Free State Liquor Traders Association (FSLTA) also weighed in, blasting the incident and calling for urgent action.
FSLTA president Khulu Radebe said, “Sasolburg cannot be allowed to deteriorate into a swamp of disorder that discourages investment and compromises the safety of residents.” Radebe said such incidents have become a regular occurrence on weekends.
“This signals a serious breakdown in compliance with both the Liquor Act and municipal by-laws governing business operations within our province. The establishment in question, reportedly managed by foreign nationals, has consistently demonstrated disregard for the rule of law and for the dignity of our town,” he said.
