ActionSA strongly condemns the Free State Provincial Government’s blatant financial mismanagement, which has resulted in the disconnection of electricity to key government buildings by CENTLEC due to unpaid bills.
This failure once again exposes the province’s inability to prioritise service delivery and responsible governance.
The provincial government’s continued neglect of its financial obligations is not only an embarrassment but also a direct threat to service delivery. The disconnections at the Fidel Castro and OR Tambo Buildings—housing critical departments such as Education, Provincial Treasury, Public Works, and the Office of the Premier—demonstrate the far-reaching consequences of this maladministration. While backup generators have been deployed, this is merely a band-aid solution to a crisis that has been years in the making.
For far too long, the Free State government has mismanaged public funds, accumulating massive debts that now exceed R1 billion in unpaid municipal rates, water, and electricity. The MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Dibolelo Mance, has admitted that this debt crisis is a direct result of poor budgeting and financial mismanagement, yet the provincial government has failed to implement concrete solutions.
The consequences of this financial irresponsibility are dire. Municipalities across the province are struggling to provide basic services due to non-payment by the provincial government, which has a legal and moral obligation to ensure that these municipalities remain financially viable. The fact that this is not the first time the Free State government has been cut off due to non-payment is evidence of a pattern of reckless governance and a complete disregard for accountability.
ActionSA demands immediate action from Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae to resolve this crisis. The provincial government must:
– Provide a transparent report on how and why these debts have been allowed to accumulate over the years.
– Implement a strict financial recovery plan to ensure that all outstanding accounts are paid in a sustainable and responsible manner.
– Decentralise electricity and water payments so that individual government departments are directly responsible for their own accounts, preventing further mismanagement by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
– Hold those responsible accountable, including officials who have failed to ensure that municipalities receive payments owed to them.
The people of the Free State deserve a government that is financially responsible and committed to delivering services, not one that continuously fails them through incompetence and mismanagement.
ActionSA remains committed to holding this administration accountable and ensuring that residents do not suffer due to the failures of an incapable government.
ActionSA Condemns Free State Government’s Failure to Pay Electricity Bills, Leaving Service Delivery at Risk
ActionSA strongly condemns the Free State Provincial Government’s blatant financial mismanagement, which has resulted in the disconnection of electricity to key government buildings by CENTLEC due to unpaid bills.
This failure once again exposes the province’s inability to prioritise service delivery and responsible governance.
The provincial government’s continued neglect of its financial obligations is not only an embarrassment but also a direct threat to service delivery. The disconnections at the Fidel Castro and OR Tambo Buildings—housing critical departments such as Education, Provincial Treasury, Public Works, and the Office of the Premier—demonstrate the far-reaching consequences of this maladministration. While backup generators have been deployed, this is merely a band-aid solution to a crisis that has been years in the making.
For far too long, the Free State government has mismanaged public funds, accumulating massive debts that now exceed R1 billion in unpaid municipal rates, water, and electricity. The MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Dibolelo Mance, has admitted that this debt crisis is a direct result of poor budgeting and financial mismanagement, yet the provincial government has failed to implement concrete solutions.
The consequences of this financial irresponsibility are dire. Municipalities across the province are struggling to provide basic services due to non-payment by the provincial government, which has a legal and moral obligation to ensure that these municipalities remain financially viable. The fact that this is not the first time the Free State government has been cut off due to non-payment is evidence of a pattern of reckless governance and a complete disregard for accountability.
ActionSA demands immediate action from Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae to resolve this crisis. The provincial government must:
The people of the Free State deserve a government that is financially responsible and committed to delivering services, not one that continuously fails them through incompetence and mismanagement.
ActionSA remains committed to holding this administration accountable and ensuring that residents do not suffer due to the failures of an incapable government.