Central SA
Free State opposition parties demand action on infrastructure, governance, service delivery─── ZENANDE MPAME 14:11 Thu, 19 Feb 2026
As roads deteriorate, municipal debt deepens, and frustration mounts over corruption and poor service delivery, expectations are high ahead of the Free State Sopa.
Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae will set out her government’s priorities for the year ahead when she delivers her third state of the province address. This year’s theme is: A year of decisive action to fix local government and transform the economy.
The premier is expected to reflect on commitments made during last year’s address and provide feedback on progress achieved. Opposition parties, however, say the address must go beyond broad commitments and confront the province’s deepening crises head-on.
“In her address, the premier will have to focus on the dwindling economy in the Free State,” said Free State DA leader Roy Jankielsohn. “Central to this is infrastructure and specifically the deteriorating road infrastructure in the province.
“And then the dysfunctionality of our municipalities who are struggling to deliver basic services. Both of these have a negative impact on investment and job creation.”
This must be a priority in the state of the province address alongside other issues such as education and healthcare, he said.
Premier spokesperson Matshediso Setai said much emphasis will be placed on articulating the provincial government’s interventions in stabilising the province’s ailing municipalities as well as outlining plans to increase support for small businesses.
Infrastructure development and job creation are also expected to feature prominently as the premier previously committed to turning the province into a construction site through intensified road infrastructure investment and expanded building programmes in education and health.
“We are hoping to clarify on the rampant corruption that’s been happening throughout the province, the wasteful expenditure track record, and the infrastructural damage due to a lack of maintenance,” said Free State EFF chairperson Mapheule Liphoko.
“Now that we’ve experienced a whole lot of infrastructural damage when it comes to roads, because of the recent rains that we've had, what is the intention of the premier?”
The state of health, and the public health system in the Free State, is a mess, he said. “Nobody really wants to be admitted to our hospitals or treated in our clinics anymore. What is the intention moving forward?”
Sopa is scheduled to start at 10:00 on Friday (20/2) at Old Grey events centre in Bloemfontein.
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