Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Saki Mokoena, has ordered several municipalities in the province to revise their action plans after they failed to adequately address critical governance and service delivery issues.
This comes after the second day of engagements between the provincial government and municipalities regarding their proposed turnaround strategies. The meetings follow a recent oversight visit by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on COGTA, which uncovered severe financial mismanagement and maladministration in multiple municipalities.
Auditor-General’s Damning Report Sparks Urgency
The push for accountability follows the Auditor-General’s 2023/2024 report, which identified Free State’s 23 municipalities as among the worst-run in the country. The provincial government had initiated steps to hold struggling municipalities accountable but faced an immediate setback when many failed to treat the matter with urgency.
Mokoena expressed frustration, stating that some municipalities did not even have key officials present during the presentations. “If we do not move fast, there’s a court order that says if things fall apart, the municipality has to be dissolved,” he warned. “It just has got to stop. It can’t continue like this.”
Municipalities Found Wanting
Several municipalities were sent back to rework their plans, including:
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Metsimaholo Municipality: Flagged for excessive overtime payments (R12 million), unpaid rent, and only four out of 57 pump stations being operational.
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Masilonyana Municipality: Criticized for unfunded budgets, material irregularities, and poor financial management.
Mokoena stressed that decision-makers and senior managers must align their strategies to ensure accountability. “Anyone who does not [comply] will then be judged on the basis of that particular action plan, and we can really exact consequence management,” he said.
Strict Monitoring and Consequences Ahead
The oversight committee has made it clear that it will no longer tolerate business as usual. Municipalities must now submit monthly progress reports and present comprehensive updates every three months.
Next week, the affected municipalities are expected to return with revised, council-approved action plans. These plans must outline clear roles for both political and administrative leaders, incorporate provincial and national government support, and serve as a monitoring tool for legislatures.
Failure to comply could lead to dissolution or other legal consequences, as the province moves to enforce stricter oversight amid ongoing service delivery failures.
