The Free State Department of Police, Roads, and Transport (DoPRT) is yet again under the spotlight, this time around it is not potholes but accusations of theft of intellectual property, where a businesswoman was offered a mere R1000 when she was 7 months pregnant.
The department has in the past few months been embroiled in one mess after the other, from the failed attempt by Free State Premier, Sefora Ntombela, to move the erstwhile HOD Sipho Mtakati to Sport, Arts, and Culture, to reshuffling of Sam Mashinini and the temporary appointment of Mosa Tlali as acting HOD who sources say her removal had nothing to do with her performance but factional battles.
Mtakati who was placed on suspension in May 2021 has since accepted a settlement though he had over 13 months left on his contract.
Premier Sefora Ntombela suspended Sam Mtakati, the Head of Free State Department of Police, Roads, and Transport citing reports claiming to have received the dire impact of collapsing of major infrastructure.
To date, the roads in Free State especially provincial roads are death traps and with Easter Weekend slowly approaching, zizokhala ngempela.
Step Up SA News received a complaint from Nthabiseng*, a director and owner of company in which she accuses the department of theft.
Nthabiseng* alleges PRT offered her R1000 for her artwork but she declined.
In a dispute report in possession of this publication, Nthabiseng* alleges actions by PRT officials caused her so much pain while 7 months pregnant.
Speaking exclusively to Step UP SA News Nthabiseng* said.
“I have worked with government garage for over 5 years and that was our starting point as a businesswoman who wanted to grow in automobile sector and this was a proposal from management to say look we want to build you guys and establish you, this is a start
I have worked with the department for years to date and I am doing other project. As for the R1000 I think that was because we were working with people who were disempowering us all the time because they would give work to white companies. There was a company that kept getting work and we were suppressed but when it came to delivery we delivered.
Asked what they did when the department continued to give jobs to white companies Nthabiseng* said.
“We kept on complaining but you know when you want to work and keep relations you persistently keep trying.”
What is even shocking is the company that was awarded the work(branding) is none of the 4 companies that attended the briefing there is a collision of some sort and someone from the department dares to tell that Nthabiseng* she must prove that the design/work is hers. These people don’t take people seriously, this is Rubbish.
To show how uninterested our provincial leaders are to help Nthabiseng*, she had to write to the president Ramaphosa to seek his intervention and interestingly, the president is coming to Mangaung this weekend and he too is non-responsive to the letter Nthabiseng* sent to his office but he will be busy going up and down making promises while failing to address a matter older than 3 years.
One day we must ask our leaders to shut up whenever they mention women empowerment because they do the opposite.
Auditor-General South Africa reported Free State Police, Transport and Roads squandered R 1 138 billion, of which R96 million is unauthorized expenditure they should have just paid Nthabiseng* from that R96 million.
In other news KET Civils have taken the department to court for contempt after the department issued tenders despite a court order handed on the 17 December 2021. The matter will be heard today with KET Civils asking the court to incarcerate the department’s acting HOD Robinson Thekiso as the accounting officer.
Hillary Mophethe, spokesperson for Police, Transport, and Roads, and MEC William Bulwane did not respond to our questions.
If you have tips or news please email us at news@stepupsanews.co.za
This is a developing story.
Good day, I recently (15/12/2023) paid an amount of R84 000 (via EFT) to the Free State Traffic Department for motor vehicle registration and licencing. The amount in arrears after the payment was R3000. When I went to settle the outstanding balance I was told that the initial arrears amount had incurred penalties even though I had paid. They told me that even though I paid, I was charged penalties for not withdrawing the licence discs. Is it lawful or constitutional to charge a civilian penalties on the initial debt even though I paid 98% of the debt. Is it not correct that I should be charged penalties on the balance outstanding. I feel that this is unconstitutional and unlawful. I am in the process of finding a legal opinion regarding this issue. Please advice on the above mentioned subject.