The programme was launched on Wednesday by the metro’s Executive Mayor, Mxolisi Siyonzana, and the Premier of the Free State, Sisi Ntombela. The programme was explained to be part of the presidential stimulus package to create public employment in response to the impact of Covid-19. Those employed under the programme will focus on cleaning, clearing and beautifying CBDs, cemeteries, parks and open spaces, and responding to water leakages and repairs.  This comes on the heels of the National Council of Provinces' (NCOP) sitting and oversight visits, where the status quo of the metro was discussed. Siyonzana, together with his team, had burning questions to answer.

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At the sitting that was held last week Thursday, the convener of the ANC in Mangaung, Lawrence Mathae, stated varied avenues of intervention at local government level have been implemented and whilst they have not yielded significant results, dissolving the municipality should not be entertained by the NCOP's committee. 

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While the sitting was underway, the pressure groups, Mangaung Service Delivery Forum (MSDF) and Mangaung Concerned Community (MCC) had a protest march to the metro’s headquarters, the Bram Fischer Building, to express their concerns once more.

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In response, Siyonzana promised to work hand in hand with the relevant stakeholders to address the issues that the two groups have raised.

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