Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Roy Jankielsohn MPL and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL with images here, here, here, here and here
The Free State Provincial Department of Roads must answer for the vandalism and theft of its facilities at Winburg. The DA conducted an oversight visit to the facility to assess the damage caused by the gross negligence of the Provincial Department. The facilities have no security and electrical wiring, vehicles, equipment and other goods have been plundered and vandalised. No security was present, and the fence and guard houses are in advanced states of decay.
The DA will be questioning the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Mr Jabu Mbalula, about the shocking lack of security that allowed individuals to enter the Roads Department workshop and offices in Winburg to plunder and vandalise equipment, offices, electricity networks and vehicles.
The criminal destruction of these facilities is a setback for road maintenance and shows that the ANC-led government cannot be trusted with taxpayer-funded community-owned assets. The ANC is a political wrecking ball.
The DA demands accountability and answers on the future of this desecrated infrastructure that is, like many other government-owned facilities, now an eyesore for the community of Winburg.
If facilities meant to support road maintenance and construction are allowed to be desecrated by criminals, it is no wonder that our road budgets are often treated in a similar fashion, with multiple contractors, incomplete roads, allegations of corruption, and funds squandered.
This lack of respect for state-owned property and public funds is a reason why vehicles are damaged and lives are lost on our provincial roads.
The DA will continue to expose ANC abuse of state resources through their blatant disregard and disrespect for provincial state-owned resources.
The people of the Free State deserve a DA-run government that will respect and secure provincial assets and funds.