The Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance (Cogta) says his department wants to look into ethical leadership, to best serve residents across municipalities in the province. MEC Mxolisi Dukwana says the issue of ethical and courageous leadership has been raised before by the Auditor-General (AG).

He says Monday’s interaction with visiting Public Protector (PP), Busisiwe Mkhwebane, at the Free State Legislature was important.

Dukwana says as a government they need to realise that their role does not end only with them dealing with issues that arise.

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

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

She also released a report on the Vrede Dairy Farm Project, which found that former Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, and former MECs like Mamiki Qabathe failed to exercise their executive powers in terms of oversight.

In her report, Mkhwebane said even after the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) sounded the alarm on the project, the executive still ignored the red flags raised by AGSA.

OFM News also previously reported on ailing municipalities, which had experienced several protests from irate residents.

These municipalities included the Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro and Matjhabeng Municipality, among others.

OFM News