The reason for their visit is to assess the provision of water and sanitation. 

Community members from this town, which gained notoriety following the failed multi-million rand Vrede Dairy Project, will among others be given an opportunity to highlight their challenges amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

The provincial government, in a statement, says Ntombela and members of the Executive Council will further provide identified households and community members with hand sanitisers, conduct Covid-19 awareness programmes, and encourage communities to adhere to lockdown regulations during their visit.

Hearings into the Vrede Dairy Farm scandal before the Zondo Commission highlighted how communities in the town still face high unemployment and a lack of service delivery, despite promises previously made by the provincial government.

Intended beneficiaries testified that besides the R220 million that was allegedly syphoned off from the Free State Provincial Government to the Gupta-linked Estina company, communities are still suffering a great deal.

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