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A resident gestures while raising his concerns amid ongoing protests in Phomolong in the Free State during an engagement with Premier Letsoha-Mathae on 15 May 2026.
Free State Acting Premier, Jabu Mbalula, has called for calm and patience from residents of Phomolong in Hennenman.
Residents have been engaging in ongoing protests since last month, demanding jobs at the local construction of the Middelpunt Solar PV plant.
They want greater local representation in the construction of the plant as opposed to those outside of Hennenman.
Residents claim workers from outside the area have been hired while many locals remain without jobs.
Mbalula is expected to meet with investors and the Matjhabeng Local Municipality to discuss the matter.
The provincial government says feedback from the engagements will be provided to the community during a meeting on Wednesday.
Mbalula has urged residents to refrain from any disruptions while discussions aimed at finding a lasting solution continue.
-Report by Lebohang Motshweneng
