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Protector meets Free State premier

Awarding government tenders on the basis of political allegiance was one of many problems the Public Protector discussed with Free State premier Ace Magashule on Tuesday. Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said allegations that officials were being suspended for refusing to follow instructions that contracts be awarded unlawfully, and without proper procedures being followed, would be investigated. Madonsela’s meeting with Magashule included Free State MECs, mayors, several municipal speakers, and most heads of provincial departments, her office said in a statement.

The Public Protector met with the public in Bloemfontein on Monday as part of a series of dialogues to be held countrywide. The project aimed to focus on the need to work together to end maladministration and ensure better service delivery. Other complaints related to RDP houses and infrastructure development, unmet promises, houses without toilets, or construction left incomplete. The Free State government agreed there were several weaknesses in the delivery of RDP houses, in procurement systems, and financial management.

Madonsela said many of the issues were inherited from previous administrations. They included incomplete houses, bulk infrastructure supply problems, RDP housing application lists that had been tampered with, and land shortages. “We were particularly encouraged by the fact... that a lot of the problems people were raising were already on the radar of the leadership and there were attempts to resolve those problems,” Madonsela said. However, she also raised concerns with Magashule about some Botshabelo residents who thought they needed to be ruling party members to receive her office's services.

Some locals who had wanted to speak to her came clad in ruling-party branded clothing, and presented their membership cards. “It worried me that they thought they needed to show us they were linked to a particular party … what gives them that impression?” she asked. Madonsela would meet with Kroonstad residents at the Mphohadi FET College on Wednesday.

Source: www.iol.co.za

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Protector meets Free State premier

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