The Fezile Dabi Civic Movement (FDCM), under the leadership of President His Royal Highness (HRH) Tibisi April Motaung II, has officially confirmed on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, that its highly anticipated 30-Day Total Shutdown of the Metsimaholo Local Municipality will proceed as planned.
This systematic and lawful escalation comes after the expiration of formal economic inclusion ultimatums issued to major regional industrial employers, including Sasol and NATREF.
Legal Sanction and Structural Compliance
The movement stated that its Section 4 application, submitted under the Public Safety Regulation of Gatherings Act, has been officially processed and acknowledged by the Metsimaholo Local Municipality Public Safety Department. This notice guarantees that all subsequent public pickets and assemblies will operate within proper legal frameworks, ensuring the demonstrations are fully compliant with statutory regulations.
The shutdown is being driven by several core objectives:
- Economic Demands: The movement is enforcing the immediate implementation of a 70% local hiring and procurement threshold for unemployed residents and local Small, Medium, and Micro-Enterprises (SMMEs).
- Administrative Justice: The FDCM continues to advocate for total accountability and the elimination of local municipal corruption.
“Our collective struggle against systemic economic exclusion and municipal complacency has reached a definitive turning point,” Motaung said.
“This Section 4 approval signifies that our demand for local job thresholds and administrative integrity is both legally resilient and right. We are enacting a regulated, total shutdown to secure the economic inheritance of the people of Zamdela, Deneysville, and the broader Fezile Dabi region. We call on all residents to remain disciplined, peaceful, and resolute as we execute this historic mandate.”
Notice to the Public and Stakeholders
The FDCM advises all local business operations, industrial transport networks, and municipal entities to prepare for the shutdown protocols. To maintain strict compliance with public safety regulations, the movement will deploy marshals across all gathering points.
Meanwhile, the movement has called an urgent public meeting to finalize the strategies and logistical deployment plans for an approved 30-day “Total Shutdown” of the Metsimaholo Local Municipality.
The meeting, scheduled for this Thursday, will brief stakeholders, media houses, and residents on the rollout of the mass action. The shutdown protests are designed to apply pressure to major local industrial entities and the municipality to address historic socio-economic inequalities and economic inclusion.
Event Details
- Date: Thursday, 18 June 2026
- Time: 14h00
- Venue: Harry Gwala Multi-Purpose Centre, Zamdela, Sasolburg
- Agenda: Implementation, logistics, and deployment planning for the 30-day shutdown
The FDCM leadership is emphasizing that community solidarity and active participation are vital during this upcoming period of mass action. All residents and interested parties are urged to attend to receive official directives.
