Sisi Ntombela, Free State premier, announced expenditure of more than R1 billion on the revival of the province’s road infrastructure, which is in horrific condition, during her state of the province address on 28 February.
The money is set aside for work on at least 15 roads that interlink Free State towns.
Ntombela said 5 000 job opportunities would be created, playing a role in countering the province’s 38,1% unemployment rate. Including discouraged job seekers, the Free State’s expanded unemployment rate stood at 45,8% according to Statistics South Africa.
Among the provincial roads to be upgraded are those between Tweespruit and Hobhouse (R709); Bloemhof and Hoopstad; Bethlehem, Fouriesburg and Ladybrand (on the Maloti Route, R26); as well as between Senekal, Rosendal and Ficksburg.
The neglect of provincial road maintenance is notable, with natural vegetation dwarfing vehicles, tree branches stretching beyond the yellow line, potholes and roads signs that are not clearly visible.
Ntombela said maintenance and repair work on gravel roads was also in progress, with R1,50 million allocated for this purpose.
“For the next financial year, we have allocated R50 million to gravel roads, R20,56 million to a pothole repair programme and R50 million to vegetation control.”
Conflicting with the ambitious announcement, shock has been expressed about provincial government losing R45,2 million in road grants, taken back by national treasury.
According to Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA), this decision was taken by Enoch Godongwana, minister of Finance, on 25 February “for unknown reasons”.
He said according to Treasury Notice No. 1794, these funds have been reallocated to other provinces in terms of the Division of Revenue Act.
“The decision is reckless and totally unacceptable. Flooding during the 2021-’22 rainy season wreaked havoc, not only with farmer’s crops, but also Free State road infrastructure,” said Wilken.
“The FSA demands to know from the minister what prompted him to stop infrastructure grant payment to the Free State Roads Department, as this may shed some light on incompetence or irregularities in the department – for which they need to be held accountable.
“We will formally request the minister to explain the reasons for this decision, highlighting its impact on the agriculture and rural community,” said Wilken.
