Report suspected wrongdoing: Mkhwebane to officials

Central SA

─── LUCKY NKUYANE 11:57 Mon, 14 Feb 2022

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane

The Public Protector (PP), Busisiwe Mkhwebane, has told members of the Free State provincial executive committee (Exco) they have a responsibility to report suspected wrongdoing they wish to be investigated.

She was addressing Exco members, including MECs, and Heads of departments (HOD), on issues of good governance.

The province has seen its fair share of criticism from frustrated residents about the lack of service delivery and dilapidated infrastructure across ailing municipalities.

Mkhwebane and her team are in the province to try and improve the quality of service delivery and promote good governance.

OFM News previously reported on several controversial issues, including the failed R255 million Vrede Dairy Farm Project and the R244 Asbestos project, among others.

Former Agriculture MEC's Mamiki Qabathe and Mosebenzi Zwane among others were previously fingered in alleged wrongdoing.

In 2019, another Free State Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL), Roy Jankielsonh, told the State Capture Commission how Qabathe implemented some projects after taking over from then MEC, Mosebenzi Zwane. Makesini says Ntombela should have dealt with Qabathe a long time ago, following Mkhwebane's report.

OFM News also in 2021 reported that Mkhwebane released a report the previous year which indicated that there was definite political interference in the Vrede Dairy Farm Project.

The report also fingered former Premier Ace Magashule, former Agriculture MEC Zwane, MEC Qabathe, and former agriculture HOD Peter Thabethe. Mkhwebane said the allegation that the Provincial Executive Council improperly appropriated funds to ensure the payment of Estina, even after the department's cancellation of the contract, was substantiated.

Meanwhile, the EFF provincial chairperson in the Free State, Mandisa Makesini, last year called on Premier Sisi Ntombela to take action against Qabathe, after the Public Protector report made adverse findings against her. Makesini told OFM News that the findings are related to the controversial Vrede Dairy Farm project.

Mkhwebane is on a two-day visit to the Free State, and will engage government officials and the media on compelling issues that have since attracted attention in the province.

OFM News