The association deals with a variety of social aspects, including politics, local government issues at the municipalities, economic development, and policies, amongst others.

The new leadership is also set to hold a press briefing on the developments at municipalities across the Free State, where many are battling to deal with a lack of service delivery. The issue which is also expected to be a focal point during this address, is the alleged massive maladministration and contravention of municipal acts, including the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

READ MORE: FS municipalities in the firing line

OFM News previously reported that troubled and embattled municipalities, such as the Welkom-based Matjhabeng and Bloemfontein Mangaung Municipalities in the Free State, are the third and fourth highest contributors to unauthorised expenditure countrywide for the 2019/20 financial year.

This was revealed in Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke’s latest report on the 2019/20 local government audit outcomes released last year.

According to the Maluleke, Matjhabeng and the Mangaung Metro incurred R1,5 billion and R1,17 billion in unauthorised expenditure respectively. This supports the assertion in the report that there is a lack of accountability in the Free State municipalities and this creates a perpetual disrespect for regulations, resulting in the mismanagement of resources and a lack of service delivery. Mangaung is also the second-highest contributor to irregular expenditure, with R1,6 billion incurred. This revelation comes amidst protest action and shutdowns in both Matjhabeng and Mangaung Metro recently.

OFM News