According to the Speaker of the Legislature, Zanele Sifuba, plans to investigate millions unaccounted for are afoot, with the committee only awaiting a report by the Auditor-General regarding the project. 

The project was set to refurbish the prison to be used as the new Provincial Legislature Complex - over a decade ago - with more than R120 million still unaccounted for. OFM News has previously reported on how the project has become a white elephant with the heritage site left dilapidated and turned into a hub of criminal activities. 

When OFM News visited the site in 2020, homeless people had found refuge at the historical site. Oppositions parties in the Provincial Legislature continue to call for accountability, with the EFF that expressed its continued concern on Monday. Meanwhile, Sifuba says investigations into the multimillion rand project will soon get underway.

During an oversight tour last year, the Free State Heritage Council’s Joe Serekoane expressed deep concern over the poor state in which this heritage site has been left.

Serekoane said their calls to have the Public Works Department take responsibility of the building and see to it that the project materialised has for years fallen on deaf ears.

He explained before the ANC Chief Whip and Public Accounts Committee Chairperson, Vusi Tshabalala, that the structure still had a significant historical meaning and that there need to be security to ensure that it is not illegally occupied or vandalised any further.

The historic site is now listed amongst many failed Free State projects that have for years drawn controversy over looted funds.

It is mentioned alongside the controversial Vrede Dairy project as well as the R255 million asbestos scandal.

OFM News