To download the audio of Ms Mapule Dhlamini, leader of the FS delegation click here: https://www.iono.fm/e/1708412
Parliament, Tuesday, 18 August 2026 – The Free State permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) have called for the blacklisting of contractors who abandon or delay completion of projects in the province.
During the meeting this morning with the Free State Premier, Ms Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, and the representatives of the Office of the Auditor-General, the delegation received a briefing on the projects currently underway in the province.
Projects experiencing problems include the construction of the Pelonomi Hospital Maternity and Neonatal Unit, which has been delayed for more than eight years. The non-completion of this project has resulted in overcrowding, increased infection risk and reduced quality of healthcare services. The Botshabelo Wastewater Treatment is also experiencing functional failure that has resulted in untreated sewage discharging into the environment, polluting water resources.
Contract failure and weak contract management were identified as the contributing factors to the collapse of the Tweespruit–Excelsior Road. While a new contractor has been appointed after the original contractor abandoned the project, delays continue with the Auditor-General raising overpayment concerns.
The delegation strongly condemned the culture of non-accountability and lack of consequence management for contractors within the province. “We cannot continue coming here every year and being told of the same challenges of non-completion of projects. What we need is stringent reporting on these matters and blacklisting of the contractors with professional bodies and Treasury,” said Ms Dhlamini, the leader of the delegation.
The briefing formed part of the NCOP’s Provincial Week report-back programme, wherein permanent delegates to the NCOP visit their respective provinces to conduct oversight over key public infrastructure and service delivery projects. Building on the Provincial Week oversight visits conducted in 2024 and 2025, delegates are this week assessing the progress achieved by national, provincial and local government in implementing recommendations previously adopted by the NCOP.
Tomorrow the delegation is expected to conduct site visits to various projects, including the Odendaalsrus Police Station in Kroonstad, Steynsrus Road project and the construction of Welkom G hostel.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE FREE STATE LEADER OF DELEGATION TO THE NCOP, MS MAPULE DHLAMINI.
For media enquiries or interviews with the leader of delegation, please contact the delegation’s Media Officer:
Name: Masego Dlula (Ms)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 715 9398
E-mail: mdlula@parliament.gov.za
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