HENNENMAN – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has warned that political interference in the Middelpunt Solar Project could reignite tensions in Hennenman, calling on Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae to intervene in a growing dispute over the project’s community liaison process.
DA Matjhabeng Ward Councillor Maxie Badenhorst has accused Matjhabeng Executive Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha and his office of undermining the established Project Liaison Committee (PLC), which provides a formal platform for engagement between the project, the community and other stakeholders.
Independence and authority must be protected
Badenhorst said the PLC’s independence and authority must be protected, particularly as the 337 MW photovoltaic (PV) project enters a crucial phase expected to bring employment, local economic activity and opportunities for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
“The PLC cannot become an extension of the mayor’s office,” Badenhorst said.
The DA’s concerns follow events surrounding a meeting on 18 August 2026, which Badenhorst said highlighted conflicting messages about the municipality’s involvement in the project.
According to Badenhorst, PLC members were assured by MMC Jaja Radebe, the committee’s chairperson, that a meeting involving the mayor and stakeholders was not specifically about Middelpunt and that Ward 2 and Ward 3 councillors did not need to attend.
However, Matjhabeng Municipality subsequently announced that Khalipha had met SMMEs specifically to discuss local economic benefits arising from the Middelpunt Solar PV Project.
Badenhorst said the conflicting accounts raised serious questions about who is authorised to engage stakeholders and make commitments concerning the project.
Conflicting accounts raised questions
She further alleged that a meeting intended to resolve divisions within the PLC and allow formal decisions to be taken was derailed after Radebe allegedly acted on instructions from the mayor.
The DA is also questioning the addition of two Matjhabeng councillors to the PLC’s WhatsApp group and their participation in meetings. Badenhorst said they were allegedly added by an official from the mayor’s office without a known PLC resolution.
She also raised concerns about an official from the mayor’s office participating in PLC meetings despite, according to his understanding, not being formally constituted as a member under the committee’s Terms of Reference.
Authority questioned
“The fundamental question is: who has the authority to determine PLC membership and decision-making processes?” Badenhorst said.
She warned that uncertainty over the committee’s composition and authority could damage trust and destabilise the community.
The warning comes against the backdrop of previous tensions and unrest in Hennenman linked to the project, which prompted intervention by the Premier.
Badenhorst said the community could not afford a repeat of that instability.
The Middelpunt project reached financial close in April this year and is expected to generate significant local economic opportunities. Badenhorst said the anticipated benefits made transparent and orderly stakeholder engagement essential.
The DA is calling on Letsoha-Mathae to instruct the mayor and his office to respect the PLC’s Terms of Reference, clarify who may make commitments on behalf of the project and ensure that municipal engagements do not undermine existing agreements.
It is also demanding greater transparency around meetings between the mayor, project representatives and local stakeholders.
Badenhorst said the project should benefit the communities it was intended to serve, rather than become a source of further division.
“The people of Hennenman deserve transparency, PLC members deserve respect, and the community deserves stability,” she said.
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