Service delivery challenges experienced by communities in Free State will once more come under sharp scrutiny during a presidential imbizo in Matjhabeng Municipality today (7/12).

 Matters of corruption, fraud, crime, poor state of infrastructure and other lingering service delivery issues will take centre stage at the imbizo, helmed by of President Cyril Ramaphosa in Welkom. The Matjhabeng gathering will be a return visit to the province by the president following an imbizo in Mangaung in April 2022.

During the 2022 engagement, 42 community members representing the seven regions of the Mangaung Metro voiced their concerns to the president. The towns represented in this discussion included Van Stadensrus, Soutpan, Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo and Bloemfontein.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said this week’s visit will allow the President and other leaders in government to assess progress made or to be briefed on challenges associated with the improvement of service delivery since the President’s previous engagement with communities.

Matjhabeng and its mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, have recently been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. This includes amongst others, maladministration, poor state of infrastructure and poor services.

“The District Development Model enhances integrated and sustainable service delivery through the maximisation of intergovernmental planning, budgeting and implementation towards creating inclusive economic opportunities for locals.

 “The participation of leadership from the national, provincial and local is directed at maintaining accountability by public office bearers and the administration and promoting collaboration,” added Magwenya.

 The Presidential Imbizo will take place at the Kopano Indoor Sports Centre in Thabong, Welkom, within the Lejweleputswa District Municipality.

OFM News/DZ