Tebogo Msimanga |
The Auditor-General has recently confirmed that the Free State Department of Police, Roads & Transport wasted R1.138 Billion, of which R96 million is unauthorised expenditure.
President of Free State Agriculture Francois Wilken said the poor state of roads in the Free State has been a central discussion theme of Free States Agriculture’s recent 2-week district level roadshow across the province. Free State Agriculture (FSA) expressed their shock at how public money is being wasted, especially in that province.
“Basic services are not delivered and it is not because of limited recourses, but the administrative leadership’s inability to hold those accountable who steal, mismanage and waste public funds. They are responsible for threatening food security and job losses in the province.”Said Wilken.
According to the Auditor General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke, the Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport serves as an example of the continued disregard for procurement prescripts, and was the highest contributor of irregular expenditure (R1 billion).
Maluleke further stated that the culture of no consequences has been created through the political and administrative leadership’s inability to implement consequence management for the prevalent non-compliance with legislation.
Free State Agriculture said through their road representatives in the local Farmers Associations, have been extremely concerned and regularly report to the department the slow pace and quality of work being done on roads by select “panel of suppliers” for the repair and maintenance of roads.
