Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The Free State Provincial Government (FSPG) is failing to pay for services.
This debt accumulated over 5 years and it’s totalling R1.066 billion and reasons for failure is insufficient budget allocation according to Dibolelo Mahlatsi, MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in September 2024.
Dr Roy Jankielsohn, leader of Democratic Alliance (DA) in Free State asked Dibolelo Mahlatsi, MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure and this was the response.
“The department of Public Works and Infrastructure is unable to to enter into payment plans due to insufficient budget plans.”
Dr Jankielsohn asked what timelines existed to repay and Mahlatsi said municipalities want the department to commit.
“Municipalities want the department to commit to pay current account plus a portion of the arrears.
The services allocation is however less than the current accounts.”
This is the clearest picture how provincial governments is directly impacting services in municipalities.
It’s strange that if residents do not pay for services, they are switched off but FSPG is not even committing to pay but life goes.
AGSA REPORT
The unauthorised/irregular/fruitless/wasteful expenditure of all departments in Free State from 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years show why Free State is indeed a free state.
It’s not shocking the Community Safety, Roads, and Transport, Human Settlements and Education are leading the pack.
Leading up to the SOPA we will analyse how Free State Departments are doing compared to other provinces.
If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or 0685000246
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