In a media statement from Mbalula’s office, it is explained that he will also conduct a follow-up oversight visit and inspection to monitor progress on the roll-out of the Hauweng and Mangaung Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN), along the inspection of the road. 

Mbalula is also expected to give an update on the forensic investigations into the Mangaung IPTN Bus Procurement and Infrastructure, which he previously launched after allegations of corruption. Mbalula will be joined by the Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, William Bulwane, and the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Mxolisi Dukwana, as well as the chairpersons and board members of the department’s entities, senior government officials and key transport stakeholders.

ALSO READ: Moshoeshoe Road reconstruction deadline set for end of October

Mbalula, in a previous interview with OFM News, said he is confident that the road will be completed by the end of October this year. During this visit in August, he said that the deadlines that were set are realistic. The issue of the Hauweng Project's forensic report started during President Cyril Ramaphosa's Presidential Imbizo in Mangaung held earlier in 2022. The request for a 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 middleman 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 rands.

During Mbalula’s visit to the metro in 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. 

Back to Moshoeshoe Road, this issue 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.

Regarding the issue of the deadline, Mangaung’s spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, said the end of October was not the initial deadline for the completion. In addition he said he will give OFM News the schedule of the different deadlines for the road.

OFM News