While delivering his budget speech on Tuesday (17/6), Community Safety, Roads, and Transport MEC Jabu Mbalula added that his department also wants to bring back safety and dignity to communities.

The department prioritises road infrastructure upgrades, safer public transport, and youth employment, while guaranteeing a strong response to gender-based violence and rural crime. A total of 3,500 job opportunities will be created through the department’s infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on empowering women, youth, and people with disabilities. 

“The Free State government is investing across all five districts to maintain and improve roads, boosting mobility, local economies, and road safety,” said Mbalula. 

A budget of R1.4 billion is dedicated to special maintenance projects, ensuring that critical road assets do not deteriorate further. “Increased freight movement has put a strain on our surfaced road network, and targeted interventions will prevent premature road failures.”

The DA raised concerns about the province’s road infrastructure and has urged the Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport to properly utilise the R3.7 billion budget allocation.

DA MPL Jafta Mokoena listed multiple hazardous roads, including the R30 between Viljoenskroon, R500 between Parys and Fochville, R720 between Koppies and Edenville, and R723 between Schonkenville and N1, urging the department to prioritise long-overdue repairs and enhancements.

“Unfortunately, the Free State province stands at a crossroads, quite literally. The roads in our province are not just broken; their condition is tragic, they are not just potholed, they are in a state of disrepair.

“This is more than a budget debate; it is a desperate call on the department to ensure that the R3.7 billion, and specifically the R2.09 billion allocated to deal with the disastrous state of our roads and transport networks, is effectively utilized.”

Additional R41 million

In addressing new priority areas, an additional R41 million will be allocated for projects starting in late 2025/26, such as:

• Ladybrand to Hobhouse;
• Oppermansgronde upgrade;
• Dealesville to Hertzogville to Christiana border;
• Reitz to Kestell;
• R59: Viljoenskroon: Salt Pan; and
• Bothaville Access Route.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh