The EFF in the Free State's provincial secretary and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Malefane Msimanga, told OFM News things are in a state of collapse in the province. He said the provincial government has spent 10% on infrastructure in the first quarter of our financial year, as opposed to the target of 25%. 

“This is a clear indication that we are likely to lose money again to other provinces due to the carelessness of people who are occupied with international trips as opposed to being obsessed with curbing underspending and improving municipalities' work,” he said.

OFM News previously reported that during the Human Settlements budget speech debate in March 2022, Armand Cloedte from the FF Plus lambasted the department for forfeiting millions of rands to the neighbouring Northern Cape because it failed to spend the money. 

Cloete said it was outrageous that the department lost an unspent R20 million of a conditional grant meant for service delivery, which was re-allocated to the Northern Cape.

He said he has slammed the provincial government for taking overseas trips. “It becomes more painful when the leadership of the provincial government is more interested in international trips than attending to demanding challenges such as the above-mentioned. We are calling on the Free State Executive to focus where it matters most, rather than pre-occupying themselves with international trips.”

Msimanga also said it’s disturbing that those who are in the driving seats in the province are doing nothing to improve lives.

He referenced the non-payment of municipal workers’ third-party contributions by ailing municipalities in the Theunissen- based Masilonyana, Trompsburg-based Kopanong, Frankfort-based Mafube, and Koffiefontein-based Letsemeng Municipalities.

“We are calling on the Dukwana government to focus on issues of third-party contributions not being paid by municipalities; underspending; ways to revive the Mangaung African Cultural Festival, as well as Celtics and Free State Stars; and have a capable public administration,” Msimanga said.

OFM News