According to a statement issued by the Mangaung Metro, the Public Employment Programme (PEP), recently introduced by the Metro, focused on grass-cutting and cleaning the area around the Billy Murison Stadium in Heidedal on Monday.

Also read: Mangaung's streets cleaned ahead of Presidential Imbizo

Mangaung residents criticised the metro and provincial government because of a lack of service delivery ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's Presidential Imbizo, stating that the city was only cleaned because of the president's visit. Issues of maladministration and factional battles were also at the forefront of the Presidential Imbizo.

Also read: Mangaung is messed up - Dlamini-Zuma

The National Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, described Mangaung Metro as a “messed up” municipality. She said the national government would be taking over the running of the municipality.

Also read: President assures Free State residents of Mangaung turnaround

President Ramaphosa assured residents of the Free State and of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality that the national intervention in the governance of the provincial capital is directed towards relieving the dire financial position of the metro. 

Meanwhile, Mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana led an outreach and cleaning campaign in partnership with Meals on Wheels in Heidedal. Siyonzana also handed out food parcels to 100 families from Ward 16.

OFM News