Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Carina Serfontein and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Joseph Mbele. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
– No active Free State government project on the R720.
– R720 between Koppies, Edenville and Heilbron continues to deteriorate.
– DA demands urgent action, accountability and a clear timeline.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned by the Free State Department’s response to questions submitted by DA MPL David Leech regarding the severely deteriorated R720 road between Koppies, Edenville and Heilbron.
The Department has now confirmed that there is currently no active project allocated to the R720, despite the road being in a critical state and longstanding concerns raised by residents, farmers, businesses, and road users.
While the Department states that R10 million has been allocated for the 2026/27 financial year, it also admits that no spending has taken place, no contractor has been appointed, and the procurement process has not yet been finalised.
This means that communities that rely on the R720 daily are still left without certainty on when meaningful repairs will begin.
The condition of the road poses serious risks to public safety, damages vehicles, increases transport costs and negatively affects economic activity in the region. Farmers, transport operators, emergency services, school transport providers and ordinary residents continue to bear the consequences of government delays and poor infrastructure management.
Equally concerning is the Department’s admission that it cannot provide an accurate completion timeline because the procurement process has not yet been finalised. Residents deserve far greater certainty and accountability than vague promises and future intentions.
The DA therefore calls on the MEC and Department to:
- Immediately publish a detailed implementation plan and timelines for the R720 project.
- Expedite the procurement process and appointment of a contractor.
- Provide regular public progress reports.
- Implement urgent interim maintenance measures to improve road safety while the full project is
being finalised.
Ngwathe residents have waited long enough. The government cannot continue to acknowledge infrastructure failures while delaying action.
The DA will continue to monitor this matter closely and hold the Department accountable until meaningful repairs are delivered and the R720 is restored to a safe and usable condition.