Free State Acting Premier Jabu Mbalula has appealed for calm and patience from residents of Phomolong in Hennenman as protests over employment opportunities at a local solar energy project continue.
Residents have been protesting since last month, demanding greater local representation in the construction of the Middelpunt Solar PV plant.
Community members claim that workers from outside Hennenman have been employed at the project while many local residents remain unemployed.
Mbalula is expected to meet with investors involved in the development, as well as officials from the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, to discuss the concerns raised by the community.
The provincial government says feedback from those engagements will be presented to residents during a community meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
Mbalula has urged residents not to disrupt activities while discussions aimed at reaching a long-term solution are underway.