Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The Pothole Eradication Program (PEP) has killed two trainees with others sick due to chemical exposure.
The PEP is partnership between Central University of Technology (CUT) and Department of Community Safety, Roads, and Transport entered in November 2023.
The R600 million project claim to have 650 people and training was provided by Safeti, Robust Repair and Maliepo with a target of 70 000 potholes by the end of the contract.
The 12 weeks training was preceded by induction and the medicals for trainees were questionable as it was a box ticking exercise.
“They told us to do medicals on our own and we asked with what money? They then organised it but we were never examined, it was just question and answer session, no physical check up.”
What followed was harsh reality and the death of two trainees; Amogelang Motsamai and Vuyisile Donald in October 2024, and May 2025, respectively.
Amogelang Motsamai
Speaking exclusively to this publication, a trainee who asked to be anonymous showed us her sick note and poured her heart out.
“What happened to Amo and Vuyi is unfortunate and sad, and could have been prevented. Anionic Bitumen Emulsions (SS 60) is a dangerous chemical and because we mix asphalt ourselves, we are forced to inhale it. When they were sick, CUT didn’t pay them even their funerals, they could not be bothered to send us.
I was also sick and according to the doctor I was exposed to occupational dust and chemicals.
Even the PPEs they give us they are not meant for such.”
Vuyisile Donald
Another trainer said they are overworked and under pay.
“We work the hardest, use our hands and fix broken machines ourselves.
All we want is to be compensated fairly and have medical care.
Things got better when Ntate Mpho Rasenyalo from office of the MEC intervened but we need help from lawyers who can represent us against this exploitation.”
What is of interest is a company that sponsored ANC Golf Day is also working in the pothole project.
According to its website, Repair Holdings was registered in early in 2024.
The CUT tender became a talking point in parliament and was also flagged by Auditor General of South Africa.
Professor Elizabeth Theron from CUT didn’t respond to our questions.
This is a developing story.
If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246
We as Pothole Eradication Programme Students in the Free State are finding ourselves in a very unhappy situation.
We are 650 Pothole Eradication Programme Students working under the EPWP that’s managed by Civilab CUT and the Department of Roads and Transport since 01 November 2023. But this programme was suspended by the department of Roads and Transport due to mismanagement of funds by Civilab CUT and it’s so called research partners namely Congiela Construction, Repair Holdings and Maliepo. All this companies have connections with the ANC and owned by politicians or their families.
A budget of R 209 million was spent but the main shareholders 650 unemployed Community members haven’t benefitted but rather these companies.
The Project Manager Mr Jones Mosai confessed that these companies was supposed to claim R 5 million a month but claimed more square metres than usual, ending up claiming R 20-30 million a month therefore the budget was depleted even before the duration or end of the Programmes contract expired date.
On the 23 September 2025 the beneficiaries of the Programmes was informed via WhatsApp that they contract was suspended without further notice by Civilab CUT Prof Elizabeth Theron who is the lead employer of the students suddenly left to overseas leaving the students stranded.
We also have a memorandum that we delivered to the MEC HOD of the department of Roads and Transport that was signed by the Parlementary Liaison officer and Prof Elizabeth Theron Project Manager of Civilab CUT.
The Department Project Manager Mr. Jone Mosai send this letter only yesterday after we requested it.
He has suspended the project without pay, saying the EPWP ministerial guidelines stipulated “No work, No pay” policy forgetting that he was the one who suspended work, but as we speak the so called research partners and politically connected companies are continuing working while 650 are unemployed for duration of contract ending 31 March 2026.
We tried by all means to communicate with the President, Min Roads and Transport, Min Public Works but could not find contact details. We did invited the Premier MaQueen and Hon Jabu Mbalula MEC, but to no avail.
All we ask is lifting of Unfair suspension and payments for the duration of the contract until 31 March 2026.
Or back pay for the duration of contract ending in March 2026.
For purposes of victimization by both parties we have withheld our contract details.