Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Dr Roy Jankielsohn MPL.
The DA notes the resignation of Free State Premier, Sisi Ntombela. The resignation of the Premier creates a leadership crisis within the Free State Provincial Government a week before the State of the Province address for which costs have already been incurred.
The ANC in the Free State indicated earlier in the month that the Premier and Mangaung Mayor would be recalled, without supplying any dates, while spokespersons within the Provincial Government confirmed that Sisi Ntombela would deliver the State of the Province Address (SOPA).
Since the former Premier was elected into office in 2019, conditions in the Free State have continued to regress and residents of the province continue to bear the impact of poor ANC leadership. While the ANC continues with their factional battles in the province, services and the economy continues to decline under the additional burden of loadshedding.
The downward trajectory of the province which was set into motion during the tenure of Ace Magashule has only become more evident under the former premier’s leadership. Just like her predecessors, Ntombela promised to bring change to the province by prioritising the restoration of road infrastructure, improving healthcare services and bringing order to the many defunct municipalities in the province.
To date, we have not seen an improvement in service delivery in any of the provincial departments while the Free State economy continues to shrink. With the resignation, the legislature is tasked with appointing a new Premier before the SOPA or SOPA may have to be delayed even further at the expense of taxpayers.
As the official opposition, the DA remains the only stable alternative within the Free State legislature currently and for a future provincial government after the 2024 General Elections.