This, as Premier Zamani Saul is expected to deliver the State of the Province Address (Sopa) on 25 February. The much-anticipated speech will this year be delivered virtually in adherence with the Covid-19 regulations. Saul’s address will come exactly two weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address (Sona) where he emphasised that job creation and eradication of irregular and fruitless expenditure in spheres of government are amongst his top priorities this year.

Following the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) recent confirmation that a fraud and corruption case relating to a multimillion-rand Covid-19 PPE tender is under investigation in the province, Saul will amongst others be expected to outline the province’s plans to deal with corruption and curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.  

He is expected to address the province from 18:00 with a maximum of 50 Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) in the chambers. Meanwhile, the Free State Legislature has confirmed it will brief the media on its state of readiness later this week.

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