The Public Protector recommended remedial action to be implemented by the Free State premier to account for the R5.9 million paid for the late MEC for Education and his protector’s burial expenses.

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae responded to the report and actions required to be taken on Tuesday (10/7) at a Plenary of the House Legislature sitting at the fourth chamber of the Raadsaal in Bloemfontein.

‘Procurement process violated constitutional and legislative standards’

The Public Protector's investigation found that the procurement process violated constitutional and legislative standards, including the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

“Indeed the report has been received and accepted by the office of the Premier, as we all know it has hardly been a week since we received it. And I can assure this house that there are recommendations and there are actions that will be taken.”

“I commit to this house that we will stick to the timeframe and on the issue of remedial action, of course, this house will be updated on the developments,” she said.

“I will see to it that the instructions of the Public Protector are carried out and I will give feedback on how the money sent will be recovered.”

At the sitting, a question was posed on whether there will be a Macufe this year as promised by the former Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana. The MEC of Sport Arts and Culture and Recreation, Zanele Sifuba, said, “During the sixth administration, the executive council discussed this matter to try and find a way to make it better and profitable.”

“So for this year, there will be no Macufe but we are busy coming up with a re-imagined Macufe, how it will be rolled out in the future in a manner that won’t take a lot of budget and in a manner that is going to make sure it stands for what it stands for which is Mangaung Cultural Festival.”

“We are aware of the love of the people of Mangaung for soccer, as the department we are coming up with ideas and we don’t want to speak about things that are in the pipeline yet, we are aware that we need to something.”  

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg