The collapsing roads, poor infrastructure, blocked stormwater systems, and rampant cable theft in Hennenman have directly cost Tiger Milling R5,2 million in losses.
The looming risk of the plant ceasing operations altogether is a disaster for Hennenman and Matjhabeng, as Tiger Milling contributes R5 000 000 per month (R60 000 000 annually) to
municipal revenue.
Maxie Badenhorst, DA councillor for Hennenman, says Matjhabeng’s empty promises put Hennenman’s economy and jobs at risk.
At a meeting convened by Tiger Milling on 26 August, the company highlighted that 24 jobs were lost between December 2023 and July 2024 due to declining production, and 15 jobs lost due to alcohol abuse linked to socio-economic stress, directly tied to worsening conditions.
Despite being formally invited, the mayor, municipal manager, chief financial officer (CFO), director of infrastructure, provincial departments, and even the Office of the Premier failed to attend the meeting on 26 August. No apologies were offered, says Badenhorst.
“This is a stark reflection of the careless and incompetent attitude that defines Matjhabeng’s current leadership. Adding to the crisis is the fact that all critical municipal leadership roles are constantly occupied by ‘acting’ officials. This lack of stability has resulted in incompetence, poor service delivery, and a lack of accountability.”
Badenhorst says the Tiger Milling fiasco and the collapsing infrastructure in Hennenman, Whites, and Phomolong have been formally escalated to the Free State Legislature to demand urgent intervention from the premier, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, and provincial government.
“Matjhabeng cannot afford to lose Tiger Milling. The livelihoods of workers, the economic stability of Hennenman, and the future of municipal revenue depend on immediate, decisive action,” she says.
“Without decisive action, Tiger Milling, one of the town’s largest employers, may be forced to shut down, devastating livelihoods and municipal revenue.
“On 18 May, the DA submitted a signed petition endorsed by nearly 1 000 residents, over 100 photos, and detailed questions to the council regarding the collapsing infrastructure. This included Dr van der Bijl Road, the critical access route to Tiger Milling and Senwes, two of the area’s largest employers. These questions were meant to be answered at a council meeting 29 May but were excluded from the agenda. After repeated follow-ups, the matter again failed to appear on the 28 August agenda,” says Badenhorst.
She says only after another follow-up was a response received but not included in the agenda: a single paragraph from the acting municipal manager, merely stating that the fixing and repairing of these roads will be done in the new financial year.
“This dismissive response completely ignored the urgency, the extensive evidence provided, and the devastating impact on businesses and communities. It stands in stark contrast to the R5,2 million already lost by Tiger Milling in damages and infrastructure-related costs.”
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