Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula made the announcement today during a visit to assess the process, as many residents have complained about the road’s condition.

He states that the deadline that has been set are realistic and he believes they can and will be met.

During his address, he also touched on the issues of the Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) Hauweng project – a forensic report is set to be completed by the end of this month.

“When I make my visit on 31 October, I expect to see the buses being used on this very same road,” he says.

ALSO READ: Minister of Transport to assess Moshoeshoe Road in Bloemfontein

Mbalula commended the work that has been done so far regarding the reconstruction as well as the filling of potholes in the city.

On the matter of the Hauweng project, Mbalula says whoever is found to have had a hand in corruption surrounding the project will be dealt with.

“If any member of the African National Congress (ANC) is found to be corrupt, they will have to step aside, as the rule of the party”.

Addressing attendees at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, Mbalula spoke of ANC infighting in Mangaung – saying it must come to an end.

The matter of the Hauweng Project forensic report began during President Cyril Ramaphosa's Presidential Imbizo in Mangaung held earlier in 2022. Requesting the forensic report came after allegations of fraud and corruption in the project, with further allegations that ten buses were procured through a lease contract and facilitation process that involved a middle man who scored a facilitation fee of about R20 million.

It was also alleged that the Mangaung Metro Municipality has missed at least six deadlines in phase 1 to complete the project, after numerous warnings by the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport.

The project is said to have cost the metro at least R2 billion since its commencement in 2016, with feasibility studies that are said to have started in 2011, including accruals that ran into millions of rand.

ALSO READ: #BreakingNews: Minister confirms forensic investigation at Mangaung – VIDEO

During Mbalula’s visit to the metro during June 2022, he stated that millions of rand have been spent with little results.

"They will do the work without fear or favour. They will start with the buses and also go to the infrastructure. Where there are corruption allegations, it will be forwarded to the Hawks, Investigative Directorate (ID) and Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to help with this investigation,” he said at the time.

In the latest, Mbalula was joined by the Free State MEC of Police, Roads and Transport, William Bulwane, and the Mayor of Mangaung, Mxolisi Siyonzana. The reconstruction of Moshoeshoe Road had recently begun, months after no work was taking place on the road. During one of Mbalula’s visits to the city, he raised his concern about delays in completing the road; one of the busiest in the township.

The issue of Moshoeshoe Road goes back a long way. At the start of Siyonzana’s term as Mayor, he outlined his plans for his first 100 days in office, which included completing the reconstruction of Moshoeshoe Road, among other major stalled projects.

He stated at the time that his 100-day plan included the reopening of main roads to ease traffic flow, the addressing of concerns over failed roads, and the detailing of maintenance projects of roads. Residents of Bloemfontein have been complaining about the unfinished Moshoeshoe Road for some time. The completion of the road intended to help restore community confidence in municipal leadership.

ALSO READ: Mangaung pays out millions for pothole damage claims

However, five months later in June the reconstruction process of Moshoeshoe Road had not begun, despite the 100-day plan. The Auditor-General’s consolidated general report, presented by the business unit leader for Free State, Odwa Duda, stated the metro had forfeited conditional grants worth more than R400 million due to slow project implementation.

Acting City Manager, Tebogo Motlashuping, revealed in a written reply to DA councillor Tjaart van der Walt, that the metro spent at least R5 million in pothole damage claims to motorists. The amount of money was paid between July 2019 and June 2022 for some claims - 296 claims are still to be paid out. The Free State has seen 16 540 potholes repaired by the end of August 2022. The potholes were repaired as part of Operation Vala Zonke.

OFM News