Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by David Mc Kay MPL and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL with images here, here, here, here, here and here
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has uncovered shocking mismanagement at the municipal stockyard in Bothaville, where R7 million worth of prepaid electricity meters have vanished, abandoned vehicles are being stripped in broad daylight, and a once-thriving paving stone assembly line has collapsed, destroying local jobs.
During a recent oversight visit by the Democratic Alliance (DA) Free State Legislature and NCOP members, alongside local and district councillors Thinus Barnard and Mahalia Khosi, several critical concerns were identified. Key areas inspected included the stockyard, the police station and the hazardous R59 Klerksdorp/Bothaville/Hoopstad road.
The stockyard is in outright disrepair, featuring a dilapidated fence and no security personnel. Multiple abandoned vehicles and yellow fleet are allegedly being stripped for parts in broad daylight. An unsecured storehouse contains numerous boxes of unused prepaid electricity meters worth millions; these meters were of the wrong specifications and couldn’t be used, but were never returned.
Our oversight further revealed that the town’s infrastructure has been left to collapse under ANC governance.
- The Bothaville police station has been condemned as unsafe, with no holding cells and too few officers to ensure residents’ safety.
- The R59 road linking Hoopstad, Bothaville and Klerksdorp has become a death trap. Hundreds of children walk this hazardous route daily to reach schools such as Humansvlakte, Bovaal, Loskuil, Kleinbroek and Nampo.
Known as the maize capital of South Africa, Bothaville is essential for regional agriculture. However, the transport of produce has become excessively costly due to poor road conditions and an absence of efficient rail services. Transporting a ton of maize by truck is nearly three times more expensive than by train. The recent collapse of an access bridge has also forced a 40km detour to reach the silos.
Bothaville has immense potential, exemplified by its hosting of the largest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere. The DA will not idly watch as the town deteriorates further. We will hold the ANC-governed provincial departments accountable for necessary infrastructure repairs and the appointment of competent officials. In the upcoming elections, Free State voters will face a pivotal choice between continued decline and the possibilities of hope and prosperity.