This is according to her spokesperson, Sello Pietersen. The statement comes after the Special Tribunal in South Africa set aside a controversial R39 million surgical gown tender awarded by the Free State Treasury.

READ MORE: #BreakingNews: Special Tribunal sets aside R32,9 million tender

This also comes after the Free State Development Corporation (FDC) had experienced several administrative issues which forced the government to institute a new board to run the ship at the controversial government entity. Pietersen says under the leadership of Ntombela, the board will strive to change the lives of the people in the province and also contributes to the development of many struggling businesses in the province.

“You would know that the Free State Development Corporation (FDC), which is one of the critical state institutions which ought to lead the process of economic resuscitation in the province, was on its knees. What we can tell you now, however, under the leadership of the honourable premier,  the new board and new CEO have been appointed. The new CEO is quite qualified with a clear plan in terms of what needs to happen,” he adds.

READ MORE: FDC board was disbanded in June 2021

However, this is not the first time Ntombela comes out scathing against fraud and corruption. She was previously accused of undue interference in one of the departments and trying to influence tender processes.

READ MORE: #BreakingNews: FS premier accused of breach of conduct

Pietersen says they want to turn issues around. OFM News previously reported that the corporation made news in October 2018 when it was listed as one of the top three beneficiaries from the VBS Mutual Bank in a report titled “The Great Bank Heist”, which detailed how municipalities, companies, and individuals allegedly looted close to R2 million from the bank.

READ MORE: Destea reveals that FDC awaits R9,5m from VBS

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