Residents are sick of maladministration in the province. Many adults – including university students – say they will vote for the EFF or simply not vote at all
Numerous residents who spoke to City Press on our week-long elections coverage in the province echoed Maile’s sentiments with some even colloquially referring to the Free State as the “capital of corruption” and a “cash cow for corrupt officials”. At the intersection in front of the church men, both young and old, gather religiously every weekday morning, waiting for labour brokers to come and pick them up for part-time work in the surrounding large farming district.
“There were also numerous processing stations earmarked to be constructed on the farm that would have provided employment to many community members. All that is up in the air now,” said the source.“I would either vote for the opposition EFF or not vote at all because the ANC-Led Phumelela municipality is failing to address our needs.
Municipal workers, mostly affiliated with SA Municipal Workers’ Union , were staging a “sit-out”, blockading the entrance to the municipal building. The protests stemmed from the arrest of two senior officials – the chief financial officer, Nrateng Khumalo, and the expenditure manager, Diakanyo Khampepe – for allegedly defrauding the municipality of R4.6 million.
“Why should she address our concerns now? She promised to come back to us in 2017; even today we are still waiting,” said a disgruntled gentleman, who identified himself as Bonolo Mokoena.From Maluti-a-Phofung, we moved to Bethlehem, where we spoke to residents living at the controversial Baken Park RDP house constructed by Unital Holding, a Chinese company, which was allegedly partly owned by Ace Magashule’s daughter.
But Maseko said despite the numerous hardships that he still faced because of the ruling ANC’s maladministration in the province, he still remained a loyal ANC supporter.“I am still voting ANC come this year’s elections,” said Maseko.DA Free State premier candidate Patricia Kopane said she had visited the area in Bethlehem and was deeply disturbed by what she saw.“Look at the infrastructure, it’s falling apart. Corruption cases chase away investors.
Either vote DA or suffer
Free State e bodile
Start opening yours eyes. You have been dreaming too long now.