Beke le beke wheels come off as Human Settlements budget gets depleted

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – In a move that can only be studied at Harvard University, the Department of Human Settlements in the Free State has suspended all procurement services due to budget depletion.

In essence, Human Settlements blew its “Goods and Services” budget in five months.

This is according to a leaked internal memo to staff titled “Suspension of Procurement for the 2026/27 Financial Year”.

“It has become imperative to stop all procurement of Goods and Services and certain Machinery & Equipment items, such as Office Furniture, Office Equipment, and ICT Equipment, with immediate effect.”

This means staff will wait till next year if they need tools if trade. Let that sink in.

The only payments that can be made are as follows:

• SITA data lines
• Finance leases (Photocopiers and Mobile Devices)
• Deeds Payments
• Board Members Payments

Since January but avoidance of of doubt in the context of this financial year, from April, the Acting CFO was Edward Kotjomela, with Martin Sogaqa taking over in July.

Last week, insiders raised an alarm following R800 000 spent on an event to finalise service sites, amid caution from Treasury.

R800 000 to Have a Meeting

In 2024, the Department moved money around for MEC “Sulky” Mokoena to travel to Egypt.

Mokoena forced HS to blow R724k on an Egypt trip despite budget warning

This is the same Department with a certificate of debt that’s hanging with no one attached to it but we are deep inside to expose payments made with little to no work done with subcontractors not paid.

Just like L-G Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi minding his business and they took his dockets, we were just doing our job and got invited to investigate Departments under Mokoena.

We are comfortably camping inside belly of a Beast.

Few years ago Joyce “Pretenders” Mathae took a mic and shouted her lunges out nly to lie about companies paid for incomplete when she knew the truth, we will see if she do the same for the truth.

With that said, we will be watching every cent spent and questioning where it came from.

In other news the Democratic Alliance in Mangaung Metro will today host a media briefing on the Council’s decision not to institute disciplinary process against Cty Manager, Sello More.

Insiders say ANC used its majority claiming it can’t support DA’s motion.

We will update the DA story with questions around the cost on this investigation and the company the City appointed.

Support Independent Journalism

Stories like this matter. Accountability matters. Truth matters.

If you believe in fearless, independent reporting that holds power to account, help us keep going.

Your contribution, even as little as R10 makes a difference.
Choane Group (Pty) Ltd
FNB: 63110371703

If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp: 068 507 6731

Independent. Unbought. Unfiltered.