Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae says plans are underway to ensure that municipalities in the province can deliver basic services such as water, electricity, and refuse collection to the people.
Delivering the State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Friday, Letsoha-Mathae said that work to improve the state of the province’s municipalities is continuing.
“We are deeply concerned about the state of some of our municipalities. Their failure to provide services such as water, electricity and refuse removal is worrying. Water treatment plants are not maintained. Electricity infrastructure is collapsing. Taps are dry. Streets are littered with garbage.
“Work to improve the state of our municipalities is continuing. We want to get the basics right and improve service delivery to our people,” she said.
She added that the professionalisation of local government was ongoing and that the seventh administration continues to assist municipalities with the implementation of the Municipal Staff Regulations meant to create a development-oriented local government.
“We are also supporting municipalities with the development of municipal staff establishments that are fit for purpose, review of competency assessments, and remuneration framework for senior managers.
“Section 56 Managers are now permanently appointed in compliance with the Municipal Systems Amendment Act of 2022. Deployment of competent managers and technical officials to municipalities to enhance service delivery is also continuing.”
Letsoha-Mathae said the provincial authorities and municipal officials met with the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa last week to ensure that all municipalities can meet their financial obligations to Eskom.
“Ten municipalities in our province are participating in the Eskom Debt Relief Programme meant to help them settle their current accounts. We continue to provide support to these municipalities to ensure compliance and financial discipline in their engagements with Eskom.
“We commit to meet our electricity, water, services and property rates obligations to municipalities to lessen their dire financial state. Payment plans will be developed and adhered to. We will lead by example,” she explained.
The province has also been battling water challenges, however, the Premier announced that the Department of Water and Sanitation has committed to giving the provincial government R1.4 billion to deal with water and sanitation issues.
This amount is meant to improve water supply and quality and upgrade water and wastewater treatment works throughout the province.
Housing
Meanwhile, the Premier committed that there shall be housing, security and comfort for all as the provincial government drives integration to bring people closer to areas of opportunities.
“We will complete the upgrade of G-Hostel in Welkom, and Dark and Silver City Development in Bloemfontein in the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. Conversion and development of hostels into family units is our way of saying our people deserve better.
“We will also upgrade 34 informal settlements by the end of cycle to ensure access to basic services and security for thousands of residents,” she said.
This financial year, the province had planned to service 3 652 sites in informal settlements and greenfields. She announced that this target has been surpassed with 6 878 sites having been serviced.
She added that this year, contractors will be invited through a competitive bidding process to complete historically incomplete houses throughout the province.
“In improving the living conditions of our people in rural areas, we will eradicate mud houses and replace them with proper housing structures in [the]Thabo Mofutsanyana District and Mangaung Metro. We also commit to delivering government-subsidised housing across various types to meet the diverse needs of our communities,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
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