Free State, South Africa: Premier of the Free State Mxolisi Dukwana and Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, spent Thursday, 03 August 2023, in Matjhabeng local municipality.
The day began with an interaction between Minister Kubayi, the Premier, MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements Ketso Makume and Executive Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha with women in construction.
Issues such as lack of support for women contractors delayed payments for work completed, and government officials demanding bribery were raised.
Minister Kubayi said such matters will be looked into and added that she will not allow the abuse of women before they are afforded opportunities. The Minister appealed to the department to speedily attend to them.
It wasn’t until a visit to Bronville and Thabong that Minister Kubayi and Premier Dukwana saw first-hand the extent of shoddy work. Two projects have been left incomplete after hundreds of millions of rands were paid, and this raised both the Minister and Premier’s ire.
The Minister revealed that nearly R400 Million was spent. However, the housing units near G hostel still need to be completed.
“This is completely unacceptable, and I am going to speak to Advocate Andy Mothibi of the Special Investigating Unit to look into this matter. Projects have been left incomplete, yet contractors were paid. I am the Minister of Human Settlements, not incomplete projects,” she deadpanned.
Premier Dukwana agreed with Minister Kubayi, saying heads will roll and those responsible will be held accountable.