Kleptocracy claims over R1.6 billion evidenced by Free State’s incomplete mega projects
14 August 2023
ActionSA will write to National Treasury requesting them to invoke Section 28 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004, and in doing so, blacklist companies that have abandoned Free State’s capital projects.
This Act provides for the establishment and endorsement of a register in order to place certain restrictions on persons and enterprises convicted of corrupt activities relating to tenders.
On 08 June 2023, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Sihle Zikalala, was in the province for an oversight inspection of the province’s white elephant projects. Nothing came out of that visit, instead on 03 August 2023, Human Settlement Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, the FS CoGTA, MEC Ketso Makume together with Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, had their own oversight inspection of blocked projects in Welkom.
It is clear that this duplication of oversight is just a smoke and mirrors aimed at creating an illusion to voters that they take this matter seriously.
What is clear as day is that the Free State is milked dry by the kleptocratic ANC. The simple truth is that projects are invested with the sole aim of embezzling state resources knowing there are no consequences for criminality they have created the nature and culture of unaccountability.
The following are some of the abandoned projects in the Free State:
R18 million for an incomplete stadium in Van Stadensrus.
R9.2 million for an incomplete sports ground in Sringfontein.
R15 million for an incomplete sports facility in Lindley.
R500 million was supposed to be spent on building and refurbishing stadia in the Province, only four stadia were refurbished.
R255 million Asbestos Project that never saw the light of the day.
The 400 million white elephant taxi rank in Bloemfontein remains non-operational for more than a decade now, since its completion in 2011.
R82 million was budgeted to overhaul, modernise and expand Park Road Police Station, to date an alleged sum of R48 million has been paid to at least three different contractors who have since been dismissed for poor performance and no one has been held accountable for this fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
R252 million that was allocated for Parys Correctional Facility but remains incomplete.
The White City integrated social housing project, estimated to be worth R110 million, began during Ace Magashule’s tenure as premier and stands derelict despite a housing shortage in South Africa.
Thaba Nchu Piggery Project, more than R1 million was allocated for the project, but it remains incomplete.
Unfinished water project in Botshabelo’s Sections U and W.
R90 million spent on Fish Processing Plant that remains incomplete and is now decaying.
This clearly shows that in awarding these tenders were corrupt from the outset, contracts were given to unqualified politically connected “BEE” contractors and incompetent cadres were appointed to manage critical assets.
South Africans deserve a decisive government that will end corruption and maladministration which erodes the state’s ability to provide services to the millions of South Africans who are in dire need.
Issued by Patricia Kopane, ActionSA Free State Provincial Chairperson, 14 August 2023
